Language Influences - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Elianna · 10-03-2004, 04:22 PM

We all know of the heavy influences of Finnish on Quenya and Welsh on Sindarin, but how do you think the other languages Tolkien knew influenced his Middle-earth languages?

I've found that in Númenor, they added '-nya' to the end of words to make it an affectionate diminuitive (ie 'onya': son plus this ending, and 'tatanya': father plus this ending.) These words are from "Aldarion and Erendis" in The Unfinished Tales. This seems similar to Russian, of which Tolkien had a working knowledge (ie Rodion -> Rodya, Sofya -> Sonya).

I've also noticed that Elvish 'ae', 'au', and 'ei' are pronounced the same as those vowel combonations would be pronounced in Latin.

What other connections have you guys made?

Boromir88 · 11-04-2004, 08:58 PM

The language of Middle-Earth is one that isn't one of my more interested topics, but I did notice one thing, lol.

I believe this is an anglo-saxon based word, Sylvan-creatures of the "wood." Or "wooded creatures." I would imagine Tolkien used "Silvan" based off the anglo-saxon word, Silvan-elves, live in woods, fond of woods. Ya, lol.

Elennar Starfire · 01-16-2005, 09:05 PM

Well, I noticed a certain similarity between Cirth and Anglo-Saxon runes.

Elianna · 01-17-2005, 06:36 PM

Yeah, the Angerthas are based on Anglo-Saxon runes, but more interesting is that the Mode of Dale, used in The Hobbit on Thorin's Map, are exactly the futhork, as Anglo-Saxon runes are called.

And about what I said in my first post about Latin and Elvish being pronounced similarly: Tolkien meant to do that. In Appen. F, Tolkien explains that since Quenya was the "Elvish-Latin," he used the Latin pronounciation rules for Quenya (and some Sindarin).

Elennar Starfire · 01-17-2005, 08:29 PM

Hmm...I know the futhark. I shall have to go look at that again...

10-03-2004, 04:22 PM	#1
Elianna Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Ad finem itineris Posts: 384	Language Influences We all know of the heavy influences of Finnish on Quenya and Welsh on Sindarin, but how do you think the other languages Tolkien knew influenced his Middle-earth languages? I've found that in Númenor, they added '-nya' to the end of words to make it an affectionate diminuitive (ie 'onya': son plus this ending, and 'tatanya': father plus this ending.) These words are from "Aldarion and Erendis" in The Unfinished Tales. This seems similar to Russian, of which Tolkien had a working knowledge (ie Rodion -> Rodya, Sofya -> Sonya). I've also noticed that Elvish 'ae', 'au', and 'ei' are pronounced the same as those vowel combonations would be pronounced in Latin. What other connections have you guys made? __________________ Enyale cuilenya, ú-enyale mandenya.

01-16-2005, 09:05 PM	#3
Elennar Starfire Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: May 2003 Location: Nowhere...now here Posts: 952	Well, I noticed a certain similarity between Cirth and Anglo-Saxon runes. __________________ Don't let me die!

01-17-2005, 06:36 PM	#4
Elianna Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Ad finem itineris Posts: 384	Yeah, the Angerthas are based on Anglo-Saxon runes, but more interesting is that the Mode of Dale, used in The Hobbit on Thorin's Map, are exactly the futhork, as Anglo-Saxon runes are called. And about what I said in my first post about Latin and Elvish being pronounced similarly: Tolkien meant to do that. In Appen. F, Tolkien explains that since Quenya was the "Elvish-Latin," he used the Latin pronounciation rules for Quenya (and some Sindarin). __________________ Enyale cuilenya, ú-enyale mandenya.

01-17-2005, 08:29 PM	#5
Elennar Starfire Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: May 2003 Location: Nowhere...now here Posts: 952	Hmm...I know the futhark. I shall have to go look at that again... __________________ Don't let me die!

11-04-2004, 08:58 PM	#2
Boromir88 Laconic Loreman Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: USA Posts: 7,507	The language of Middle-Earth is one that isn't one of my more interested topics, but I did notice one thing, lol. I believe this is an anglo-saxon based word, Sylvan-creatures of the "wood." Or "wooded creatures." I would imagine Tolkien used "Silvan" based off the anglo-saxon word, Silvan-elves, live in woods, fond of woods. Ya, lol.