Magic Words: the Phonology of Fantasy Neologisms

Abstract

This thesis examines the sound system of neologisms created in fantasy literature. I noted all neologisms in fantasy novels picked from specific award lists and recommended reading lists, then transcribed the words phonetically. After transcribing, I examined all of the words to see what they have in common with each other and what phonological rules they follow. Using the data thus gathered, I drew the conclusion that fantasy neologisms do, in fact, follow phonological rules similar to those that English language speakers follow.