How do you pronounce... - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Precioussss · 01-10-2003, 01:50 PM

What is the correct pronounciation of "Tolkien"?

Legolas · 01-10-2003, 02:04 PM

toll keen

There's an interview clip of Christopher Lee pronouncing it correctly as he says "This is the very essence of Tolkien." or something along those lines. It's included in some of the trailers and on The Fellowship of the Ring DVD, I think.

[ January 10, 2003: Message edited by: Legalos ]

gralin musicteeth · 01-10-2003, 06:07 PM

Since this thread is called 'How do you pronounce', how do you pronounce 'Feanor'?

the real findorfin · 01-10-2003, 06:38 PM

I pronounce it Fay-en-awe, but thats just me.
I say Tolkien as Tolkin so there! [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

Luinsewiel · 01-10-2003, 08:01 PM

I always pronounce Feanor as "Fee-nor". If it turns out to be wrong then I can throw it in my(rapidly growing)pile of mispronounced words to join Seleborn, Siridan, Tolkin and Morgorth. I think I read these names to fast or something [img]smilies/rolleyes.gif[/img]

Merri · 01-10-2003, 08:14 PM

I always pronounced Tolkien as Tol-keen and Feanor as Feh-ah-nor.

doug*platypus · 01-10-2003, 08:40 PM

CLICK ME.

01-11-2003, 05:19 PM

"Faynor" is how i say it..

Carorëiel · 02-22-2003, 11:25 AM

I've always presumed that "Tolkien" is a German name, and thus "correctly" pronounced "Tol-keen"--following German pronunciation rules in which the second vowel in an "i-e" "e-i" combination is the one pronounced.

But in my experience, English speakers tend to fall back on English pronunciation "rules" when pronouncing German words. "When two vowels go walking, the first one does the talking." [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] Thus, Tol-kin.

Anybody know how the Tolkiens say it?

Tigerlily Gamgee · 02-22-2003, 04:16 PM

I used to always pronounce the "ea" connection as "ae" (phonetically)... but since they pronounce Smeagol "Smeegol" (or smigol phonetically) in the movie, my chi has been messed up.

Arvedui III · 02-22-2003, 04:46 PM

This may sound stupid, but I pronuce Tolkien Tol-keen sometimes and Tol-kin other times. Dunno why. Also, I say Fay-nor and Smee-goal.My brother and I debate the way to say Eomir and Eowyn. Can anyone help?

[ February 22, 2003: Message edited by: Arvedui III ]

Eressië Ailin · 02-22-2003, 04:54 PM

Does Feanor have the two dots over the 'e'? If so, then it is pronounced 'Fee-ah-nor.' Otherwise, it should be pronounced 'Fee-nor.' I always say 'Fee-ah-nor.'

Since both Eomer and Eowyn have a dash over the first 'e', it should be pronounced 'Ee-oh-mer' and 'Ee-oh-win.' The 'e' in Smeagol also has a dash over it so it should be pronounced 'Smee-goal.'

I'm 97.3% sure that this is right. Hope it helps!

[ February 22, 2003: Message edited by: Eressië Ailin ]

elven maiden Earwen · 02-22-2003, 05:02 PM

i dont know how to pronouce Eomir but i think you pronounce Eowyn A-o-when. At first i pronouced it E-o-when.

the real findorfin · 02-22-2003, 05:07 PM

E-O-mur

E-O-win

still Faye-en-or and Tol-kin

What about Thranduil??

I always forget what is spelt and say Tharandool, completely wrong but who cares, its my enjoyment.

Arvedui III · 02-22-2003, 05:17 PM

Wow, I'm complely wrong. I always said A-o-Mare,and A-o-win. I say Thran-do-ill. But everything I say is horribly mispronouced. Don't really care though. [img]smilies/tongue.gif[/img]

elven maiden Earwen · 02-22-2003, 05:23 PM

You may not because in the movies Eomer and Eowyn were pronounced that way.

Me and my little sister have this debate on how to pronounce evenstar. I think its heavenstar(without the h) but she thinks its evenstar like a even number. How do you pronounce Evenstar is my question?

Arwen_Evenstar · 02-22-2003, 05:25 PM

Hi!
I say Tol-kee-en. I firmly believe that is correct. And i say Fay-nor.

Arwen_Evenstar · 02-22-2003, 05:28 PM

And I say thran-du-il

Lady Alasse · 02-22-2003, 05:49 PM

I usually say Fee-ah-nor but I'm not real good at figuring out how to pronounce things so don't pay attention to me.
I say Tol-kin and Tol-keen whichever I feel like at the moment.
My brother and I have almost always pronounced Smeagol Smee-oh-gull which is probably wrong.
I pronouced Eomer and Eowyn Ee-oh-mer and Ee-oh-win until recently. Now I say Ae-oh-mer and Ae-oh-en
I have no idea how to pronounce Thranduil but I usually say Thran-due-ill
I think that evenstar is pronouced Even-Star as in Evening star.
Does anyone now how to pronounce Earendil? Is it Ear-en-dill?

elven maiden Earwen · 02-22-2003, 05:53 PM

Air-in-dil i belive.

Eär is pronouced air like Eärwen would be prounoced Air-win.

gralin musicteeth · 02-22-2003, 05:59 PM

How about "Maedhros"??

I really have no clue how to say it so I just call him Albert.

the real findorfin · 02-22-2003, 06:03 PM

May-thr-O-s

with the thr sound hard (almost like a zzzy kind of sound, i cant explain, oh wait, say th but like a bee buzzing and ull get it)

elven maiden Earwen · 02-22-2003, 06:11 PM

I prounonce it May-head-ros, for some odd reason, which is problely wrong.

How do you pronounce Laurelin, Uinen, Niniel, Nienna, Nimphredil, Nirnaeth Arnoediad, Namare and Telperion?

[ February 22, 2003: Message edited by: elven maiden Earwen ]

Dain · 02-22-2003, 06:16 PM

There is a pronounciation table in the back of the Return of the King. Pronounciation and language was, of course, something Tolkien was really specific on (unlike a lot of things we discus here), and the experts are in the Languages forum, that Doug pointed out. I always say Tol-keen. Cheers!

Arvedui III · 02-22-2003, 06:22 PM

I say Even-Star

the real findorfin · 02-22-2003, 06:40 PM

Laurelin - low (as in allow) re (read) lynn (the name)

Uinen - Ooohh-nen or sumtimes ohh-nien (even though thats wrong)

Niniel - Nin-E-el

Niennor - Knee-en-oar

Nimphredil - Nymph-read (i have read) dil

Nirnaeth Arnoediad - Nur-neigh-ith Ar-know (or sometimes noy) -dee-ad

Namarie - Nam (Vietnam)-ar-E

Telperion - Tell-pear-E-on

Nimrodel · 02-22-2003, 07:25 PM

My personal favorite mis-pronunciation is "Gan-dolf" instead of "Gan-dalf".

**lindil** · 02-23-2003, 03:18 AM

I listened nearly all of the way through Martin Shaw's incredible readin of the first part of the Silmarillion [up to the chapter 'Of Men' and was delighted to hear his pronunciation of so many things I was iffy or wrong on.

Of course I am presuming his pronunciations are correct because he executes them with such skill and authority.

But I can not imagine that he did not take theime to either follow the pronunciation guideor ask CJRT or someone reffered by him.

Can't recommend those tapes [or discs] enough.

Gorwingel · 02-23-2003, 03:30 AM

Well this is one thing I have had a very hard time saying, how do you pronounce Mithrandir? Gandalf's elvish name, I never know how to say it.

the real findorfin · 02-23-2003, 05:44 AM

myth-ran-deer

Cibbwin · 02-23-2003, 05:19 PM

This is how I pronounce everything:

Tolkien = Tolken

Feanor = Fay ah nor

Smeagol = Smee ah gol

Eomer = Ay oh mer

Eowyn = Ay oh win

Thranduil = thran du ill

Evenstar = Evenstar

Earendil = Air en dil

Maedhros = No idea, I say Made ros

Namarie = Nam ar ee ay (doesn't the E have a dash as well?

Gandalf = Gandelf

DaughterofVana · 02-24-2003, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Namarie - Nam (Vietnam)-ar-E

I'm sorry. I thought I wasn't going to post in this thread but I guess I must.

Namarie: Na-mar-e-ay.

WARNING: this thread is quickly becoming nonsense in a forum that isn't supposed to be nonsense. [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img] In the back of ROTK (and the Sil) there is a pronunciation guide for each letter. Take that, and let an expert in phonetics/linguistics (Tolkien himself) guide you onto the straight path.

As for Tolkien; if a person who HAS the last name "Tolkien" (IE Christopher Tolkien) pronounces it "Toll-keen", then "Toll-keen" is the correct pronunciation.

-'Vana

secretfire · 03-31-2003, 06:56 AM

Shouldn't the 'd' in Galadriel be pronounced with a slight 'th' sound and not with a hard 'd'? Like /ga-LATH-ri-yel/ ? Just asking. Because Christopher Tolkien says it's /METH-ros/ for Maedhros...

lore_master · 03-31-2003, 02:26 PM

it doesnt realy matter how you pronounce them as long as it you like the wat you say it

Orominuialwen · 01-21-2004, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Shouldn't the 'd' in Galadriel be pronounced with a slight 'th' sound and not with a hard 'd'? Like /ga-LATH-ri-yel/ ? Just asking. Because Christopher Tolkien says it's /METH-ros/ for Maedhros...

No, it shouldn't be, because there is no 'h'. 'dh' should be pronounced, according to Appendix E, like

Quote:

the voiced (soft) th of English these clothes

Also, Eärendil should be pronounced like Ay-AH-ren-deal, according to Ardalambion, which tends to be highly reliable. Cate Blanchet totally mutilates this in the movie.

Personally, I am very annoyed over the pronunciation of Sméagol in the movies as SMEE-gull. Éomer and Éowyn are pronounced like AY-oh-mer and AY-oh-win, which I agree with, so by the same logic, Sméagol should be pronounced like SMAY-uh-goll ("goll" rhyming with "doll"). Anyway, since I am not an expert on this by any means, please visit Ardalambion and download their excellent Quenya lessons, which have a good pronounciation guide. Also Fellowship of the Word-smiths is quite helpful for linguistic questions.

***Sharkû*** · 01-21-2004, 05:13 PM

You're right, Ardalambion is very reliable, which is why I think it's you who made a mistake, not Helge:

<sub>"The position of the 'accent' or stress is not marked, since in the Eldarin languages concerned its place is determined by the form of the word. In words of two syllables it falls in practically all cases on the first syllable. In longer words it falls on the last syllable but one, where that contains a long vowel, a diphthong, or a vowel followed by two (or more) consonants."</sub> (LR, Appendix E)

Finwe · 01-21-2004, 06:54 PM

If you look in the Etymologies in the Lost Road and other Tales, it gives you a bit of background on the names of many characters, which help you a lot in pronunciation.

Fëanor --> Fay-ah-nor

Smeagol --> Smay-a-gol

Earendil --> Ay (as in angel)-ah-ren-dil

I highly recommend Ardalambion as well, since Helge is one of the few authorities on Languages, Pronunciation, etc. that I trust implicitly.

Also, one thing that would help when you're looking up pronunciations, is, pretend that you're a baby and you're learning a language for the first time. Do NOT try to Anglicize the sounds that you see, try to get your tongue to get used to pronouncing letters in a different way. If you treat yourself like a baby learning a language for the first time, it will help you get over the impulse to Anglicize all the sounds.

Everdawn · 01-21-2004, 07:30 PM

Found this on the Encyclopedia of Arda;

Quote:

Notes
1 The first syllable of Éomer's name is pronounced approximately like the English word 'ear'.
2 The éo- element of Éomer's name is surely 'horse', but -mer is less certain. It is most likely derived from Old English maer, meaning 'famous, glorious, heroic'.

Im not sure how correct their sources are, but it maks sense.

Orominuialwen · 01-22-2004, 12:45 PM

[img]smilies/redface.gif[/img] Yes, that was my own mistake. My sincerest apologies. I have a very bad memory and couldn't find the part I was looking for in my Quenya lessons. And I'm glad I haven't been totally wrong on the pronunciation of Sméagol. It makes me feel a bit better about my many other mistakes.

<font size=1 color=339966>[ 1:46 PM January 22, 2004: Message edited by: Orominuialwen ]

Armetiel · 01-23-2004, 12:22 AM

Okay, this is from the Silm.

maybe it'll help

C is ALWAYS pronouced K, so Celeborn is KELEBORN not CELEBORN

CH is Always the CH as in the scotch "loch" or german "buch but NEVER as in the English "church" examples of names with it are Carcharoth and Erchamion

DH is always th as in "THEN" but NOT "THIN" examples in Maedhros, Aredhel, Haudh-en-Arwen (so Mae-TH-ros ex.)

G is ALWAYS as in "GET"thus Region would not be like our region, nor Eregion, and Ginglith is like to our "BeGIN" no "gin"

double consonants are LONG, thus Yavanna is the same N sound in UnNamed, or PenKnife, NOT unaimed, or Penny

VOWELS

AI sounds like eye, thus Edain is is like the english DINE not Dane

AU is like OW in town, so Aule is pronound like English OWL and the first syllable of SAURON is like the english word SOUR not SORE

EI as in Teiglin sounds like the english "grey"

IE, should NOT be like the english "piece" but with I and E seperate Ni-enna not Neena (hence I pronounce Tolkien TOL-KEE-EN, but perhaps that's wrong since he didn't write his own last name [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img] )

UI such as in Uinen sounds like the english "ruin"

AE as in Aegnor, Nirnaeth, and OE as in Noegyth, Loeg, are both combinations of the individual vowels but May be pronounced ae as in "ai" and oe as in the english "toy"

EA and OE are Not run together but two seperate syllables. they are written as ëo, or ëa..unless the E is a capital and then the acent falls on the Second vowel as in Eönwë. the accent is used just to show that they are pronounced seperate, and the accent at the end of Eonwe shows that the final e is pronouced (as it ALWAYS is in elvish language (Most of Tolkien's names are Elvish)

ER, IR, UR before a consonant as in Nerdanel, Cirdan, Gurthan, or at the end of a word as in Ainur, should NOT be pronounced as in "Fern, fir, fur" but as "air, eer, oor" So NAIR-Anel, GOOR-than, Cirdan = KEER-Dan , Ainur= EYE-NOOR

E=is always pronounced in middle and end of words.

ú= oo so Húrin is HOOrin not Hyoorin

hope this helps [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

01-10-2003, 01:50 PM	#1
Precioussss Wight Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Dancing on this earth for a short while Posts: 118	How do you pronounce... What is the correct pronounciation of "Tolkien"? __________________ I am against nature. I don't dig nature at all. I think nature is very unnatural. I think the truly natural things are dreams, which nature can't touch with decay. - Bob Dylan

01-10-2003, 02:04 PM	#2
Legolas A Northern Soul Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Valinor Posts: 1,850	toll keen There's an interview clip of Christopher Lee pronouncing it correctly as he says "This is the very essence of Tolkien." or something along those lines. It's included in some of the trailers and on The Fellowship of the Ring DVD, I think. [ January 10, 2003: Message edited by: Legalos ] __________________ ...take counsel with thyself, and remember who and what thou art.

01-10-2003, 06:07 PM	#3
gralin musicteeth Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Tossing half-sick between grotesque reality and savage, frightening dreams Posts: 384	Since this thread is called 'How do you pronounce', how do you pronounce 'Feanor'? __________________ Where was the stooped and mealy-coloured old man I used to call Poppa when the merry-go-round broke down?

01-10-2003, 06:38 PM	#4
the real findorfin Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Mirkwood Posts: 514	I pronounce it Fay-en-awe, but thats just me. I say Tolkien as Tolkin so there! [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] __________________ Legends of Middle Earth

01-10-2003, 08:01 PM	#5
Luinsewiel Haunting Spirit Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: The Great Grey-Green Greasy Limpopo River, All Set About With Fever Trees Posts: 57	I always pronounce Feanor as "Fee-nor". If it turns out to be wrong then I can throw it in my(rapidly growing)pile of mispronounced words to join Seleborn, Siridan, Tolkin and Morgorth. I think I read these names to fast or something [img]smilies/rolleyes.gif[/img] __________________ Take David Suzuki's nature challenge today ---> www.davidsuzuki.org

01-10-2003, 08:14 PM	#6
Merri Wight Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: The Shire Posts: 225	I always pronounced Tolkien as Tol-keen and Feanor as Feh-ah-nor. __________________ Knowledge is just opinion that you trust enough to act upon. -Children of the Mind, by Orson Scott Card.

01-10-2003, 08:40 PM	#7
doug*platypus Delver in the Deep Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Aotearoa Posts: 963	CLICK ME. __________________ But Gwindor answered: 'The doom lies in yourself, not in your name'.

01-11-2003, 05:19 PM	#8
stinker_slinker Guest Posts: n/a	"Faynor" is how i say it..

02-22-2003, 11:25 AM	#9
Carorëiel Haunting Spirit Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Tennessee Posts: 54	I've always presumed that "Tolkien" is a German name, and thus "correctly" pronounced "Tol-keen"--following German pronunciation rules in which the second vowel in an "i-e" "e-i" combination is the one pronounced. But in my experience, English speakers tend to fall back on English pronunciation "rules" when pronouncing German words. "When two vowels go walking, the first one does the talking." [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] Thus, Tol-kin. Anybody know how the Tolkiens say it? __________________ "Art is our way of keeping track of what we know and have known, secretly, from the beginning."--John Gardner

02-22-2003, 04:16 PM	#10
Tigerlily Gamgee Hostess of Spirits Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Meduseld Posts: 1,056	I used to always pronounce the "ea" connection as "ae" (phonetically)... but since they pronounce Smeagol "Smeegol" (or smigol phonetically) in the movie, my chi has been messed up. __________________ ~ ExerciseJunky.com (Hobbits fitness of choice!)~ ~Lady of Rohan: An Eowyn Fansite ~ ~The NEW/OLD Barrow Downs Photo Page~

02-22-2003, 04:46 PM	#11
Arvedui III Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: In Rohan, with Carolina on my mind Posts: 631	This may sound stupid, but I pronuce Tolkien Tol-keen sometimes and Tol-kin other times. Dunno why. Also, I say Fay-nor and Smee-goal.My brother and I debate the way to say Eomir and Eowyn. Can anyone help? [ February 22, 2003: Message edited by: Arvedui III ] __________________ I have no idea what you just said, but I'm inspired!

02-22-2003, 04:54 PM	#12
Eressië Ailin Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Past the Point of No Return... Posts: 523	Does Feanor have the two dots over the 'e'? If so, then it is pronounced 'Fee-ah-nor.' Otherwise, it should be pronounced 'Fee-nor.' I always say 'Fee-ah-nor.' Since both Eomer and Eowyn have a dash over the first 'e', it should be pronounced 'Ee-oh-mer' and 'Ee-oh-win.' The 'e' in Smeagol also has a dash over it so it should be pronounced 'Smee-goal.' I'm 97.3% sure that this is right. Hope it helps! [ February 22, 2003: Message edited by: Eressië Ailin ] __________________ Holy angel, in Heaven blessed... My spirit longs with thee to rest! ~Faust Never judge a book by its movie. ~J. W. Eagan By the big slippers of big slipperdom! ~M. Gillenormand, Les Misérables My blog!

02-22-2003, 05:02 PM	#13
elven maiden Earwen Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: A world that never was and never will be Posts: 1,325	i dont know how to pronouce Eomir but i think you pronounce Eowyn A-o-when. At first i pronouced it E-o-when. __________________ We pillage and plunder, we rifle and loot, Drink up me hearties, Yo Ho. the looniest site in the world!!!

02-22-2003, 05:07 PM	#14
the real findorfin Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Mirkwood Posts: 514	E-O-mur E-O-win still Faye-en-or and Tol-kin What about Thranduil?? I always forget what is spelt and say Tharandool, completely wrong but who cares, its my enjoyment. __________________ Legends of Middle Earth

02-22-2003, 05:17 PM	#15
Arvedui III Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: In Rohan, with Carolina on my mind Posts: 631	Wow, I'm complely wrong. I always said A-o-Mare,and A-o-win. I say Thran-do-ill. But everything I say is horribly mispronouced. Don't really care though. [img]smilies/tongue.gif[/img] __________________ I have no idea what you just said, but I'm inspired!

02-22-2003, 05:23 PM	#16
elven maiden Earwen Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: A world that never was and never will be Posts: 1,325	You may not because in the movies Eomer and Eowyn were pronounced that way. Me and my little sister have this debate on how to pronounce evenstar. I think its heavenstar(without the h) but she thinks its evenstar like a even number. How do you pronounce Evenstar is my question? __________________ We pillage and plunder, we rifle and loot, Drink up me hearties, Yo Ho. the looniest site in the world!!!

02-22-2003, 05:25 PM	#17
Arwen_Evenstar Wight Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Rivendell Posts: 206	Hi! I say Tol-kee-en. I firmly believe that is correct. And i say Fay-nor. __________________ 'I am Agarwaen, Son of Úmarth...'-Túrin Turambar. Arwen_Evenstar

02-22-2003, 05:28 PM	#18
Arwen_Evenstar Wight Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Rivendell Posts: 206	And I say thran-du-il __________________ 'I am Agarwaen, Son of Úmarth...'-Túrin Turambar. Arwen_Evenstar

02-22-2003, 05:49 PM	#19
Lady Alasse Wight Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Gondolin, Middle Earth Posts: 103	I usually say Fee-ah-nor but I'm not real good at figuring out how to pronounce things so don't pay attention to me. I say Tol-kin and Tol-keen whichever I feel like at the moment. My brother and I have almost always pronounced Smeagol Smee-oh-gull which is probably wrong. I pronouced Eomer and Eowyn Ee-oh-mer and Ee-oh-win until recently. Now I say Ae-oh-mer and Ae-oh-en I have no idea how to pronounce Thranduil but I usually say Thran-due-ill I think that evenstar is pronouced Even-Star as in Evening star. Does anyone now how to pronounce Earendil? Is it Ear-en-dill? __________________ He teacheth my hands to war; so that a bow of steel is broken by my arms.-II Samuel 22:35

02-22-2003, 05:53 PM	#20
elven maiden Earwen Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: A world that never was and never will be Posts: 1,325	Air-in-dil i belive. Eär is pronouced air like Eärwen would be prounoced Air-win. __________________ We pillage and plunder, we rifle and loot, Drink up me hearties, Yo Ho. the looniest site in the world!!!

02-22-2003, 05:59 PM	#21
gralin musicteeth Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Tossing half-sick between grotesque reality and savage, frightening dreams Posts: 384	How about "Maedhros"?? I really have no clue how to say it so I just call him Albert. __________________ Where was the stooped and mealy-coloured old man I used to call Poppa when the merry-go-round broke down?

02-22-2003, 06:03 PM	#22
the real findorfin Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Mirkwood Posts: 514	May-thr-O-s with the thr sound hard (almost like a zzzy kind of sound, i cant explain, oh wait, say th but like a bee buzzing and ull get it) __________________ Legends of Middle Earth

02-22-2003, 06:11 PM	#23
elven maiden Earwen Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: A world that never was and never will be Posts: 1,325	I prounonce it May-head-ros, for some odd reason, which is problely wrong. How do you pronounce Laurelin, Uinen, Niniel, Nienna, Nimphredil, Nirnaeth Arnoediad, Namare and Telperion? [ February 22, 2003: Message edited by: elven maiden Earwen ] __________________ We pillage and plunder, we rifle and loot, Drink up me hearties, Yo Ho. the looniest site in the world!!!

02-22-2003, 06:16 PM	#24
Dain Wight Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Iron Hills Posts: 127	There is a pronounciation table in the back of the Return of the King. Pronounciation and language was, of course, something Tolkien was really specific on (unlike a lot of things we discus here), and the experts are in the Languages forum, that Doug pointed out. I always say Tol-keen. Cheers! __________________ Only I have looked through the shadow of the Gate. Beyond the shadow it waits for you still: Durin's Bane.

02-22-2003, 06:22 PM	#25
Arvedui III Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: In Rohan, with Carolina on my mind Posts: 631	I say Even-Star __________________ I have no idea what you just said, but I'm inspired!

02-22-2003, 06:40 PM	#26
the real findorfin Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Mirkwood Posts: 514	Laurelin - low (as in allow) re (read) lynn (the name) Uinen - Ooohh-nen or sumtimes ohh-nien (even though thats wrong) Niniel - Nin-E-el Niennor - Knee-en-oar Nimphredil - Nymph-read (i have read) dil Nirnaeth Arnoediad - Nur-neigh-ith Ar-know (or sometimes noy) -dee-ad Namarie - Nam (Vietnam)-ar-E Telperion - Tell-pear-E-on __________________ Legends of Middle Earth

02-22-2003, 07:25 PM	#27
Nimrodel Haunting Spirit Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: The Golden Wood Posts: 51	My personal favorite mis-pronunciation is "Gan-dolf" instead of "Gan-dalf". __________________ Beside the falls of Nimrodel,By water clear and cool, Her voice as falling silver fell Into the shining pool

02-23-2003, 03:18 AM	#28
lindil Seeker of the Straight Path Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: a hidden fastness in Big Valley nor cal Posts: 1,681	I listened nearly all of the way through Martin Shaw's incredible readin of the first part of the Silmarillion [up to the chapter 'Of Men' and was delighted to hear his pronunciation of so many things I was iffy or wrong on. Of course I am presuming his pronunciations are correct because he executes them with such skill and authority. But I can not imagine that he did not take theime to either follow the pronunciation guideor ask CJRT or someone reffered by him. Can't recommend those tapes [or discs] enough. __________________ The dwindling Men of the West would often sit up late into the night exchanging lore & wisdom such as they still possessed that they should not fall back into the mean estate of those who never knew or indeed rebelled against the Light.

02-23-2003, 03:30 AM	#29
Gorwingel Beholder of the Mists Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Somewhere in the Northwest... for now Posts: 1,436	Well this is one thing I have had a very hard time saying, how do you pronounce Mithrandir? Gandalf's elvish name, I never know how to say it. __________________ Wanted - Wonderfully witty quote that consists of pure brilliance

02-23-2003, 05:44 AM	#30
the real findorfin Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Mirkwood Posts: 514	myth-ran-deer __________________ Legends of Middle Earth

02-23-2003, 05:19 PM	#31
Cibbwin Wight Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: California Posts: 146	This is how I pronounce everything: Tolkien = Tolken Feanor = Fay ah nor Smeagol = Smee ah gol Eomer = Ay oh mer Eowyn = Ay oh win Thranduil = thran du ill Evenstar = Evenstar Earendil = Air en dil Maedhros = No idea, I say Made ros Namarie = Nam ar ee ay (doesn't the E have a dash as well? Gandalf = Gandelf __________________ The Warrior Hobbit Nîn o Chithaeglir, lasto beth daer; Rimmo nîn Bruinen, dan in Ulaer!

03-31-2003, 06:56 AM	#33
secretfire Pile O'Bones Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 21	Shouldn't the 'd' in Galadriel be pronounced with a slight 'th' sound and not with a hard 'd'? Like /ga-LATH-ri-yel/ ? Just asking. Because Christopher Tolkien says it's /METH-ros/ for Maedhros... __________________ "Leave now and never come back! (3x)" Dr. Gollum's prescribed mantra against multiple personality disorder.

03-31-2003, 02:26 PM	#34
lore_master Wight Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Valhalla Posts: 116	it doesnt realy matter how you pronounce them as long as it you like the wat you say it __________________ As you go the way of life, you will see a great chasm. Jump. It is not as wide as you think

01-21-2004, 05:13 PM	#36
*Sharkû* Hungry Ghoul Join Date: Jun 2000 Posts: 1,721	You're right, Ardalambion is very reliable, which is why I think it's you who made a mistake, not Helge: <sub>"The position of the 'accent' or stress is not marked, since in the Eldarin languages concerned its place is determined by the form of the word. In words of two syllables it falls in practically all cases on the first syllable. In longer words it falls on the last syllable but one, where that contains a long vowel, a diphthong, or a vowel followed by two (or more) consonants."</sub> (LR, Appendix E)

01-21-2004, 06:54 PM	#37
Finwe Deathless Sun Join Date: May 2003 Location: The Royal Suite in the Halls of Mandos Posts: 2,609	If you look in the Etymologies in the Lost Road and other Tales, it gives you a bit of background on the names of many characters, which help you a lot in pronunciation. Fëanor --> Fay-ah-nor Smeagol --> Smay-a-gol Earendil --> Ay (as in angel)-ah-ren-dil I highly recommend Ardalambion as well, since Helge is one of the few authorities on Languages, Pronunciation, etc. that I trust implicitly. Also, one thing that would help when you're looking up pronunciations, is, pretend that you're a baby and you're learning a language for the first time. Do NOT try to Anglicize the sounds that you see, try to get your tongue to get used to pronouncing letters in a different way. If you treat yourself like a baby learning a language for the first time, it will help you get over the impulse to Anglicize all the sounds. __________________ But Melkor also was there, and he came to the house of Fëanor, and there he slew Finwë King of the Noldor before his doors, and spilled the first blood in the Blessed Realm; for Finwë alone had not fled from the horror of the Dark.