“The invention of languages is the origin of everything. Stories were invited to provide a world for languages and not the other way around”. This is how JRR Tolkien describes in a letter his approach to The Lord of the Rings and appendages. Eminent philologistthe British author has hatched many dialects to accompany these heroes in their quests. He presents himself less as the craftsman of the history of Middle-earth than as his translator. The use of these languages is what gives depth to the mythology of Middle Earth, favors the plausibility of this fantasized universe. Published on August 21 by Bragelonne, The Tolkien Dictionary summons more than 60 contributors who analyze Tolkien’s universe through what fascinated him: words. Here are three important languages in the author’s universe.
Ouistrain or the universal language
It is the most widespread language in Middle-earth during the Third Age. To accompany the writing of his works, Tolkien created a beautiful story. He explains that he found The Red Book — a thick volume written by Frodo and Bilbo after their respective adventures — and having adapted these stories into The Lord of the Rings et The Hobbit. The Red Book is written in Ouistrainthe evolution of the language of Numenor to contact with other dialects of Middle-earth after the destruction of the island. It contains some Elvish elements, and is also adopted by many peoples such as the Hobbits who take it over to create their own dialect. Most of the names of places and characters are in hobbitic ouistrainFondcombe, Sacquet…
Sindarin, the language of the Elves
Of all the languages imagined or evoked by Tolkien, those of the Elves are by far his favorites. They are also the most developed, he will devote part of his life to the creation of a real grammar and a rich lexicon. Quenya is the language of the Vanyar (also known as the Light Elves) and the trigger for a desire to create languages to enrich his universe. It is nevertheless Sindarin which is the most common language for these immortal beings in Middle-earth. Tolkien explains having “deliberately constructed to phonologically resemble Welsh”. While he sometimes borrows words directly from the languages he draws inspiration from, the author mainly uses them to design the structure of his invented languages. The Sindarin vocabulary is particularly rich, and it is found in the names of the emblematic characters of Tolkien’s imagination. Elrond for example, can mean “star dome”. The first name Galadriel means “Lady of the Trees”.
The Black Speech, the language of Mordor
Tolkien only edited about thirty words of this language invented by Sauron to address his disciples. However, it is one of his most famous dialects since the inscription on the One Ring is in black speech in its pure form.Ash nazg durbatulûk, ash nazg gimbatul, Ash nazg thrakatulûk agh burzum-ishi krimpatul” translates as follows “One ring to rule them all. One ring to find them. One ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them.” The Orcs will use a degraded form of this guttural language which symbolizes the evil which is necrotizing Middle Earth.
To learn more about the languages imagined by Tolkien but also his inspirations and the way in which his imagination shaped fantasy and more broadly the stories of the imaginationThe Tolkien Dictionary has been published last August 21 at Bragelonne. It consists of more than 800 pages de noticeslisted in alphabetical order under the direction of Vincent Ferré. A fascinating work that is not only aimed at worshipers of the Lord of the Ringswhich will resonate with neophytes eager to learn more about Middle-earth.
Source: www.journaldugeek.com
