[rootwords]

Video

[rootwords] (QuickTime .mov)

[rootwords]

Computer, software, projection
Dimensions variable
2002

[rootwords] is a language experimentation environment. Beginning with a simple poem by the maker, the program’s goal is to “grow” a new language from English root words using common prefixes, suffixes, and other components. Users click the root words to grow an organism of variations and linguistic complexity.

The programming reflects probabilities in the way language can and does evolve. In some ways the program begins to reflect other language path metaphors, such as an illustration of the Indo European language tree.

Press

HOW2– Contemporary Innovative Writing By Women
Vol. 1, No. 7
Selected by Anya Lewin