Heuristics for New Language

How do we create new language? Drawing on the observation that some languages—such as Pirahã—are almost entirely without a number system, this work explores what other features of human language could be fundamental yet remain unrealized. We propose the super language framework, a modular approach for iterating new forms (e.g. phonetic or morphological containers) and interpretations (e.g. semantic or pragmatic functions) on top of any base language. The resulting augmented variants are organized into a typology serving as a roadmap for experimentation. As a simple proof of concept, we present StegaPhone, a super language prototype that hides binary data within deliberate mispronunciations (e.g. “swim” vs. “svim”), thereby extending a phonetic layer into a parallel communication channel. To operationalize the framework, we outline a transformation engine—a rewrite-based system capable of covering the space of possible language modifications in a standardized, invertible manner. We argue that this “tip of the spear” architecture enables rapid language development and productive feedback loops across the domains in which it may be applied. Finally, we situate the significance of such a heuristic approach by considering the central role of language in communication, cognition, machine interfaces, and beyond, underscoring how new features have, and can continue, to impart transformative capabilities onto their operators.