I need some reasons...

[alatar]

Originally Posted by Mithalwen

... and somehow I don't think that spending hours talking about elvish would be regarded as an acceptable way to pass the working day.....

Exactly! Talking about football or the latest prime-time slop is okay, yet to talk about Balrog's wings is considered to be nuts...er, well...okay, so maybe they have us on that one.

Luckily I work with another Tolkien nut who understands what I'm talking about. Note that we do not converse in Elvish, however.

[Snorri Swifthammer]

Bah! One man's hobby is another man's complete waste of time. If you have fun doing it and you aren't hurting anyone, I say why should anyone object?

I mean look at the typical person's hobby of sitting in front of the TV watching American Idol. At least at the completion of your hobby you'll be able to speak Elvish. What do they have? A headache and a irrational anger triggered by British accents because they liked the last guy Simon Cowell made cry.

Really one of my hobbies involves gluing and painting small plastic and pewter dwarves for the express purpose of setting them up on minature terrian and simulating battles with them (that is Warhammer Fantasy for those who don't know.) I know many a person who think that is a waste of time. However, I have fun so why should someone else's opinon bother me?

[The Saucepan Man]

Originally Posted by Mithalwen

Well I very rarely feel ashamed of my nationality or intimidated on trains because of groups of drunken elvish scholars or feel I shouldn't drive into a certain part of town because there is a language convention

You would if Elvish lexicography was the national sport and appealed to the same demographic. But, on that level, the two pursuits cannot be compared.

My point in comparing them was that I enjoy football in a way that is harmless to myself and others and brings me pleasure (particularly this season ). In that context, my choosing to spend my time in this way is similar to someone choosing to spend their time learning Elvish. And, from my perspective, criticising that which I choose to make my hobby (or one of my hobbies) is little different from the criticism (or ridicule) of Elvish studies will be to someone who wishes to spend their time doing that.

[Mithalwen]

Originally Posted by The Saucepan Man

You would if Elvish lexicography was the national sport and appealed to the same demographic. But, on that level, the two pursuits cannot be compared.

I would dispute this... I attended a rugby international in Wellington - and I doubt there are anyone more passionate about their national sport than the kiwis yet I walked back to where I was staying among 34K less than stone cold sober rugby fans and have rarely felt safer in a public place. And just because you enjoy something harmlessly, it doesn't make it harmless. But I very much doubt we will covince each other on this one.