In the early 18th century, London high society was captivated by George Psalmanazar, a blonde, pale man who claimed to be a native raised on the island of Formosa (modern-day Taiwan). Arriving in England around 1703, Psalmanazar fabricated a comprehensive narrative about his homeland, complete with elaborate customs, a solar calendar, and a religion that required sacrificing thousands of young boys annually. To solidify his deceit, he invented a fully realized Formosan language and alphabet, translating Christian prayers and eventually portions of the Bible into his constructed tongue.
When challenged by scholars, Psalmanazar defended his constructed grammar with breathtaking audacity. He gained the endorsement of Henry Compton, the Bishop of London, and was invited to teach Formosan to Oxford scholars intending to serve as missionaries. Even members of the prestigious Royal Society, including pioneering scientist Edmond Halley, struggled to definitively expose him because European knowledge of East Asia was so sparse and steeped in orientalist assumptions.
Psalmanazar even published a bestselling book detailing Formosa's geography and culture. His hoax endured for years until growing skepticism and logical inconsistencies forced him to confess around 1706. Despite the exposure, his constructed language stands as one of history's most successful literary and linguistic frauds.