Constructed languages, also known as conlangs, refer to languages intentionally created by individuals or groups rather than naturally evolving over time. These languages are devised for various purposes, such as fiction, artistic expression, intercultural communication, or experimental linguistics. Conlangs are crafted, usually featuring consistent grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation rules. They may range from simple auxiliary languages designed for easy global communication, like Esperanto, to elaborate fictional languages like Tolkien’s Elvish tongues. Constructed languages allow creators to explore linguistic creativity, cultural world-building, and philosophical concepts. They serve as fascinating tools for communication, expression, and cultural reflection in various realms of human creativity.

         One of the most early and interesting, constructed languages, is called Lingua Ignota. It was constructed by Hildegard of Bingen. Hildegard, also known as Saint Hildegard or Hildegard von Bingen, was a remarkable and influential figure in medieval Europe. She was born on 16 September 1098, in Bermersheim vor der Höhe, a small village in what is now Germany, and she died on 17 September 1179, in Rupertsberg, Germany.

Hildegard was a Benedictine abbess, composer, writer, philosopher, theologian, herbalist, and visionary. She entered religious life at a young age and became a nun at the Disibodenberg monastery under the guidance of Jutta von Sponheim, an anchoress and spiritual mentor. After Jutta’s death, Hildegard succeeded her as the head of the female community, and she eventually founded her own convent in Rupertsberg.

Hildegard is best known for her visionary experiences, which she referred to as “visions” or “divine illuminations.” She claimed to have started having these visions from a very young age, and they continued throughout her life. These mystical experiences provided her with insights into theological, cosmological, and spiritual matters.

Her most significant literary work is “Scivias” (short for “Scito vias Domini” or “Know the Ways of the Lord”), completed around 1151. In this work, Hildegard documented many of her visions and provided interpretations of their meanings, combining theology, cosmology, and allegory.

Hildegard was also a gifted composer and musician, known for composing sacred music, including chants and hymns. She is considered one of the earliest known composers whose works have survived.

Throughout her life, Hildegard corresponded with popes, emperors, and other influential figures, seeking support for her spiritual work and sharing her insights. Despite living in a time when women’s voices were often marginalized, Hildegard’s remarkable intellect and spiritual authority earned her respect and recognition beyond the confines of her monastery.

Hildegard’s legacy encompasses a remarkable body of work and otherworldly musical compositions. However, it is her spiritual concept of Viriditas, meaning “greenness,” that is one of her most interesting ideas. This cosmic life force, according to Hildegard, permeates the natural world. For her, the Divine revealed itself and became evident through nature’s intricate manifestations.

In modern times, Hildegard of Bingen has been recognized as a Doctor of the Church, a title bestowed on individuals whose teachings and writings significantly contributed to Catholic theology and spirituality. She was canonized as a saint in 2012 by Pope Benedict XVI. Today, Hildegard’s contributions to music, theology, and herbal medicine continue to be studied and appreciated, and she is considered a symbol of female empowerment and intellect in the medieval period.

Lingua Ignota

Hildegard left a very interesting legacy through her creation of Lingua Ignota, a secret and mystical language. The true reasons behind the development of Lingua Ignota remain shrouded in mystery, as Hildegard did not explicitly record her motivations. However, scholars and historians have put forth several plausible explanations for its creation.

Firstly, as mentioned above, Hildegard was known for her profound visions and mystical experiences. Lingua Ignota may have served as a medium for expressing these divine revelations in a sacred and cryptic form, distinct from conventional languages of the era. By encapsulating her spiritual insights in this enigmatic language, she could convey the ineffable aspects of her visions.

Secondly, the language might have been Hildegard’s personal tool for meditation and prayer, facilitating a more profound and private connection with the divine. Lingua Ignota could have provided a unique channel for her personal devotions and spiritual contemplation.

Additionally, Lingua Ignota could have been utilized for encoding deeper spiritual concepts and theological ideas. By using symbolic expressions and allegorical elements, Hildegard could convey complex meanings in a way that transcended conventional language barriers.

Furthermore, as the abbess of a convent, Hildegard might have created Lingua Ignota to foster a sense of exclusivity and unity among the nuns in her community. This unique and esoteric language may have reinforced their spiritual bond and sense of belonging.

Finally, in a time of political and religious conflicts where knowledge was often threatened, Lingua Ignota might have been employed to safeguard her mystical experiences and teachings from being misunderstood or misused by external forces.

This constructed language has 23 letter and 1011 words. There are only a few short manuscripts that survived that were written in Lingua Ignota. Characterized by neologisms and phonetic inventiveness, the language poses challenges for modern scholars in deciphering its exact meaning. Here is the “ABC” that she devised for her conlang: