Tolkien Speaking Elvish - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Osse · 07-01-2004, 02:25 AM

I for one, found Tolkien's voice far more 'mystical' than all of the actors in the films. It sounded like he could actually use the language in day to day life (seeing he was fluent in both the elven languages and finnish, he could!) unlike most of the actors who seemed to almost sing the words, which quite frankly is im-bloody-practical... and as for "english accents making the words sound icky" i shall (like squatter [i am so proud of your restraint!]) stop myself from speaking openly, for one could say exactly the same about american accents!

May I say, however, how much I admire Joy for the time and effort she has obviously poured into her endeavour of learning such a difficult language. My hat and heart goes off and out to you.

Keep up the work, and i am sure you'll have it flowing as you say you'd like!!

One Axe to Rule them All · 07-01-2004, 11:14 AM

I always imagined him as an Anthony Hopkins character, but we can't have everything we want...

It would be great to hear Anthony Hopkins speak Sindarin or Quenya some time though!

Bombadil · 07-01-2004, 11:48 AM

It's weird, I alywas thought Namarië was pronounced: (Nah-Mar-ee-uh) But as Tolkien speaks it, he pronounces it: (Nah-Mar-ee- ay) Now I thought that ë at the end gave an "uh" sound? I suppose I'm wrong, but I thought "é" was the only form to give the "ay" sound. Does this mean Manwë is pronounced: (Man-way) ?

Lalaith · 07-01-2004, 01:25 PM

Davem, the audiobook you posted a link to, I think it might be very similar to a cd I got free with a boxed set of LotR I bought about four years ago.
(The boxed set, incidently, doesn't seem to be available any more but it is really lovely, there are seven hardback volumes, for each of the six books of the trilogy plus the appendices and index)

symestreem · 07-05-2004, 07:44 PM

Tolkien read it with the intonation of a Native American shaman telling the stories of his tribe to the children. Or a Maori chief, or an African one, or basically anyone besides an American or a Brit. He really believed in what he was doing.

ninlaith · 07-12-2004, 11:25 PM

The intonation of Tolkien in his Elvish speaking was very similar to that of the Kalevala which he had an obsession with for most of his life. It also sounds as if he may have been adding a little of old Anglo Saxon annunciation which connects to his deep affinity for the epic novel Beowulf and all Anglo Saxon literature for that matter. Sir Tolkien was purely a genius in more ways than one.

Quote:

Sam: I made a promise, Mr. Frodo, a promise! Don't you leave him Samwise Gamgee! And I don't mean to....I don't mean to.

Guinevere · 07-13-2004, 05:22 PM

Hooray, I have just bought the "Tolkien Audio Collecion " that Davem gave a link to. (Though not through Amazon - I found it even in my English bookstore in Zürich !!)
It really was worth the price - there are 4 CD's , 2 with Tolkien reading exerpts from the Hobbit and LotR . It's very funny the way Tolkien reads Gollum's part! One of my favourites was "the Ride of the Rohirrim". The only drawback is that Tolkien reads some of the poems too fast (for me). The 2 other CDs are Christopher Tolkien reading from the Silmarillion. I've listened to the whole tale of Luthien and Beren today and loved it! (BtW Did you know that the stress in "Finarfin" is on the -ar- ? that was news for me!))

wilwarin538 · 07-14-2004, 07:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bombadil

It's weird, I alywas thought Namarië was pronounced: (Nah-Mar-ee-uh) But as Tolkien speaks it, he pronounces it: (Nah-Mar-ee- ay) Now I thought that ë at the end gave an "uh" sound? I suppose I'm wrong, but I thought "é" was the only form to give the "ay" sound. Does this mean Manwë is pronounced: (Man-way) ?

"ë" does give"ay" sound Bombadil so Manwë would be pronounced (Man-way)
or atleast thats what I always thought. In French its "ay" so Im sure it must be in any other launguage.

Bombadil · 07-14-2004, 11:41 AM

Haha, it seems i have been corrupted in learning French. Thanks for clarifying! When I first started reading the Sil that's how I pronounced them, but my second time through I developed the idea that "ë" gave an "uh." Don't know how...

Joy · 08-13-2005, 03:06 AM

Thanks all.

Actually, and this is what amazes even me. I made that recording before ever hearing Tolkien's version. I just didn't post it for so long for 2 reasons (I was embarrased and 2nd I didn't have a server that would host .wav files). And what is even stranger is that I have a pronounced hearing loss in both ears (about 40 to 50%).

I have been a student of languages since I was 13. I started taking Latin then.

The only name in the Sil that I really have a hard time with is Aulë. Is this pronounced Ah-ooh-lay or A-ooh-lay or Oww-lay?

Maerbenn · 08-13-2005, 04:55 AM

I think it should be pronounced like in this recording.

07-01-2004, 02:25 AM	#1
Osse Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: The Encircling Sea, deciding which ship to ruin next...could be yours. Posts: 274	I for one, found Tolkien's voice far more 'mystical' than all of the actors in the films. It sounded like he could actually use the language in day to day life (seeing he was fluent in both the elven languages and finnish, he could!) unlike most of the actors who seemed to almost sing the words, which quite frankly is im-bloody-practical... and as for "english accents making the words sound icky" i shall (like squatter [i am so proud of your restraint!]) stop myself from speaking openly, for one could say exactly the same about american accents! May I say, however, how much I admire Joy for the time and effort she has obviously poured into her endeavour of learning such a difficult language. My hat and heart goes off and out to you. Keep up the work, and i am sure you'll have it flowing as you say you'd like!! __________________ 'A thinking tyrant, it seemed to Vetinari, had a much harder job than a ruler raised to power by some idiot system like democracy. At least HE could tell the people he was THEIR fault.'

07-01-2004, 11:14 AM	#2
One Axe to Rule them All Wight Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: The Citadel Posts: 212	I always imagined him as an Anthony Hopkins character, but we can't have everything we want... It would be great to hear Anthony Hopkins speak Sindarin or Quenya some time though! __________________ Why are you reading this? Go outside, be happy, get some sunlight! You're so pasty and thin! You horrify me, GO! Get some light before they take you too! It's too late for me but SAVE YOURSELF! For more LOTR fun, Join The Citadel!

07-01-2004, 11:48 AM	#3
Bombadil Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Old Forest Posts: 488	It's weird, I alywas thought Namarië was pronounced: (Nah-Mar-ee-uh) But as Tolkien speaks it, he pronounces it: (Nah-Mar-ee- ay) Now I thought that ë at the end gave an "uh" sound? I suppose I'm wrong, but I thought "é" was the only form to give the "ay" sound. Does this mean Manwë is pronounced: (Man-way) ? __________________ "'Eldest, that's what I am... Tom remembers the first raindrop and the first acorn... He knew the dark under the stars when it was fearless - before the Dark Lord came from Outside.'"

07-13-2004, 05:22 PM	#7
Guinevere Banshee of Camelot Join Date: May 2002 Location: Switzerland Posts: 5,830	Hooray, I have just bought the "Tolkien Audio Collecion " that Davem gave a link to. (Though not through Amazon - I found it even in my English bookstore in Zürich !!) It really was worth the price - there are 4 CD's , 2 with Tolkien reading exerpts from the Hobbit and LotR . It's very funny the way Tolkien reads Gollum's part! One of my favourites was "the Ride of the Rohirrim". The only drawback is that Tolkien reads some of the poems too fast (for me). The 2 other CDs are Christopher Tolkien reading from the Silmarillion. I've listened to the whole tale of Luthien and Beren today and loved it! (BtW Did you know that the stress in "Finarfin" is on the -ar- ? that was news for me!)) __________________ Yes! "wish-fulfilment dreams" we spin to cheat our timid hearts, and ugly Fact defeat!

07-14-2004, 11:41 AM	#9
Bombadil Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Old Forest Posts: 488	Haha, it seems i have been corrupted in learning French. Thanks for clarifying! When I first started reading the Sil that's how I pronounced them, but my second time through I developed the idea that "ë" gave an "uh." Don't know how... __________________ "'Eldest, that's what I am... Tom remembers the first raindrop and the first acorn... He knew the dark under the stars when it was fearless - before the Dark Lord came from Outside.'"

07-01-2004, 01:25 PM	#4
Lalaith Blithe Spirit Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 2,779	Davem, the audiobook you posted a link to, I think it might be very similar to a cd I got free with a boxed set of LotR I bought about four years ago. (The boxed set, incidently, doesn't seem to be available any more but it is really lovely, there are seven hardback volumes, for each of the six books of the trilogy plus the appendices and index)

07-05-2004, 07:44 PM	#5
symestreem Face in the Water Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 728	Tolkien read it with the intonation of a Native American shaman telling the stories of his tribe to the children. Or a Maori chief, or an African one, or basically anyone besides an American or a Brit. He really believed in what he was doing.

08-13-2005, 03:06 AM	#10
Joy Spirit of a Warrior Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Wandering Posts: 1,012	Thanks all. Actually, and this is what amazes even me. I made that recording before ever hearing Tolkien's version. I just didn't post it for so long for 2 reasons (I was embarrased and 2nd I didn't have a server that would host .wav files). And what is even stranger is that I have a pronounced hearing loss in both ears (about 40 to 50%). I have been a student of languages since I was 13. I started taking Latin then. The only name in the Sil that I really have a hard time with is Aulë. Is this pronounced Ah-ooh-lay or A-ooh-lay or Oww-lay? __________________ God bless, Joy KingdomWarrior@hotmail.com http://kingdomWarrior.jlym.com As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?

08-13-2005, 04:55 AM	#11
Maerbenn Haunting Spirit Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 59	I think it should be pronounced like in this recording.