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'Ash nazg durbatulûk, ash nazg gimbatul, ash nazg thrakatulûk agh burzum-ishi krimpatul' 'One Ring to
rule them all,
Elvish JRR Tolkien didn't only create the world of Middle Earth that housed the Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings, he crafted languages as well, Khuzdul, Black Speech, Adûnaic, Entish and of course the different Elvish speech. Of course today since the movies have come out people are falling in love with the Elvish tongue, especially those who spoke it in the films. The internet has various sites about the language and some even have the font that goes with the language. (Links to these will be added on this page.) The Elvish words are very similar to the Welsh or Gaelic language, they sound beautiful when spoken, like music to the ears. Maybe we should be taught it in school. It seems such a waste to have these invented languages that are only used for a few hours in a movie. I am sure Tolkien created them with more in mind. Recently the British Museum came across some old recordings and among them was one of Tolkien speaking Elvish. They say they will put them on a CD for sale to the public, so keep your eyes open for that. As soon as I find any information I will update this page.
'Ash nazg durbatulûk, ash nazg gimbatul, ash nazg thrakatulûk agh burzum-ishi krimpatul' The above is the phonetic Black speech written around the ring. It is not to be spoken in regular situations as it is a language that can conjure up Sauron and his Orcs! Best to stick with the Elvish Sindarin or Quenyan words. For
the Elvish
Languages: Quenya Dictionary (for download) Sindarin Dictionary (for download) Translations of common names into Quenya Amanye Tenceli (writing systems) Fellowship of the Wordsmiths (different elvish resources) Elvish Liguistic Fellowship (E.L.F.) Sindarin: The Noble Tongue (Various Sindarin Resources) The Sindarin Survival Project ( List of Sindarin Links) Are we birthing a new generation of linguists I wonder! Reading through some of these sites I was amazed at the depth the people have given to the languages. These sites are being read and studied by young people who want to learn the different languages. That is an amazing phenomena, because of a movie that so touched their being they are willing to learn a language that really never existed except in the mind of a writer. So who do we have to thank for this phenomena? JRR Tolkien for writing the books? Peter Jackson for bringing them to life? Viggo Mortensen, Orlando Bloom and the rest of the cast for doing such a grand job of taking on a personality that has moved the soul of people young and old (I'm one of the latter!) around the world? Or the special effects people and the crew who had the insight to create such an amazing Middle Earth? I can't say but I do believe that what has happened here is something so special that there are no answers. In a world that has gone crazy, where bad seems to be taking over from good, a story that reads like a mythology of our past is more than refreshing. Even though some people don't survive you understand that the character feels it is fine because their sacrifice went towards the final outcome, of overcoming evil.
I never learned a language other than my own tongue, English, so don't understand how one is structured. I envy people who can just pick up a new language as if they were born to it. Consequently Viggo who knows a number of them is high in my esteem, and Tokien is way up there as you can imagine. Writing at least 19 languages during his life, he had to have been a genius. If he could see what was happening right now I wonder if he would have a look of amazement and pleasure on his face at the way his 'world' has affected the people of the 21st century. Do
check out the links above and if you are able do try to learn
one of the languages available. You will than take your place
among those who are playing a part in this great phenomena, alongside
of me!
Anyway I hope you enjoy this site. If you have any comments please write. nim-alph di e tasar dragonfly_dezignz@hotmail.comExternal Links
Photos of Liv Tyler
Cate Blanchett |
