View Single Post
Old 08-20-2005, 02:19 PM   #4
Guinevere
Banshee of Camelot
 
Guinevere's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Switzerland
Posts: 5,830
Guinevere is a guest of Tom Bombadil.
Quote:
so one could argue that dwarves speak anglo-saxon as ther secret language...right?
No, Anglo-Saxon is the language spoken by the Rohirrim! Or rather, just as Tolkien used modern English to "translate" Westron , he used Old English to "translate" the language of the Rohirrim. ("Westu Théoden hal!" etc)

The "outward" names of the Dwarves are of old Norse origin. I don't think their "secret language" is like any real language. It is invented by Tolkien, as are the Elven languages, but there are only a few words like "Baruk Khazad! Khazad ai menû!" What does that sound like ?
__________________
Yes! "wish-fulfilment dreams" we spin to cheat
our timid hearts, and ugly Fact defeat!
Guinevere is offline   Reply With Quote