Ori's writing - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Galadriel55 · 09-11-2014, 06:21 AM

Just a small tangent about the Common Tongue:

I may be confusing things and missing a few details, but did the Hobbits not also speak it (and therefore write it)? Did they also use Tengwar? If so, did Bilbo not have to lean the alphabet when he studied Elvish (and taught it to Frodo)?

Mithalwen · 09-11-2014, 07:29 AM

The actual letter forms he probably knew but he may have had to learn to apply them to different sounds. I don't think hobbits would have developed their own writing system.

Alfirin · 09-11-2014, 09:06 AM

I also seem to noticed that when Hobbit writing is shown, it often appears to be a different, somewhat, shorter chubbier form of writing than the form most elves seem to prefer. Assuming this is actually the case (as opposed to a flourish by Tolkien or one of the later interpreters) Bilbo might not have recognized them when learning Elvish (again sort of like learning cursive after print, or "casual" Hebrew after the formal kind)

09-11-2014, 06:21 AM	#1
Galadriel55 Blossom of Dwimordene Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: The realm of forgotten words Posts: 10,495	Just a small tangent about the Common Tongue: I may be confusing things and missing a few details, but did the Hobbits not also speak it (and therefore write it)? Did they also use Tengwar? If so, did Bilbo not have to lean the alphabet when he studied Elvish (and taught it to Frodo)? __________________ You passed from under darkened dome, you enter now the secret land. - Take me to Finrod's fabled home!... ~ Finrod: The Rock Opera

09-11-2014, 07:29 AM	#2
Mithalwen Pilgrim Soul Join Date: May 2004 Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle... Posts: 9,461	The actual letter forms he probably knew but he may have had to learn to apply them to different sounds. I don't think hobbits would have developed their own writing system. __________________ “But Finrod walks with Finarfin his father beneath the trees in Eldamar.” Christopher Tolkien, Requiescat in pace

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09-11-2014, 09:06 AM	#3
Alfirin Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 435	I also seem to noticed that when Hobbit writing is shown, it often appears to be a different, somewhat, shorter chubbier form of writing than the form most elves seem to prefer. Assuming this is actually the case (as opposed to a flourish by Tolkien or one of the later interpreters) Bilbo might not have recognized them when learning Elvish (again sort of like learning cursive after print, or "casual" Hebrew after the formal kind)