Mannish: Difference between revisions

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A term used by [[Tolkien]] to refer to the languages of [[Men]], as opposed to the [[Elvish]] tongues, or those of the other races of [[Middle-earth]]. By far the most prominent Mannish language in Tolkien's works is [[Westron]], also called the [[Common Speech]].
A term to refer to the languages of [[Men]], as opposed to the [[Elvish]] tongues, or those of the other races of [[Middle-earth]]. By far the most prominent Mannish languageis [[Westron]], also called the [[Common Speech]].
==Translation==
Most Mannish names are presented by Tolkien in real-life languages. The most known example is Westron, which is always translated into modern English.  


Most Mannish names are 'translated' by Tolkien into real-life languages. The most known example is Westron, which is always translated into modern English. Secondly [[Rohirian]] which is translated into Anglo-Saxon.
This logic went one step further by also presenting all languages akin to Westron in languages related to English, so that their "understandability" by the protagonists be simulated to the English reader.
 
Another example are the Northern Mannish languages, translated into Norse, exemplified by the names of the [[Dwarves]].
 
'Heathen' names of [[Rhovanion]] such as [[Vidugavia]] are Gothic.
 
Finally, names and words related to the [[Stoors]], [[Buckland]] or [[Bree]] are of Celtic origin.


*[[Rohirric]], the language of the [[Rohirrim]] was translated by Anglo-Saxon, as Rohirric is an archaic relative of Westron, much as Anglo-Saxon is an archaic relative of English;
*[[Dalish]], the tongue of [[Dale]] (from which came the names of the [[Dwarves]] of [[Durin's Folk]]), was translated into Old Norse, a language related to Anglo-Saxon and modern English as Dalish was related to Rohirric and Westron;
*The hobbit names of the [[Stoors]], [[Buckland]] as well as some [[Bree-land]] names are Celtic;
*Few "heathen" names related to [[Rhovanion]] (such as "[[Vidugavia]]") are Gothic, indicating a relationship to Dalish
[[Category:Languages]]
[[Category:Languages]]

Revision as of 09:59, 29 December 2008

A term to refer to the languages of Men, as opposed to the Elvish tongues, or those of the other races of Middle-earth. By far the most prominent Mannish languageis Westron, also called the Common Speech.

Translation

Most Mannish names are presented by Tolkien in real-life languages. The most known example is Westron, which is always translated into modern English.

This logic went one step further by also presenting all languages akin to Westron in languages related to English, so that their "understandability" by the protagonists be simulated to the English reader.

  • Rohirric, the language of the Rohirrim was translated by Anglo-Saxon, as Rohirric is an archaic relative of Westron, much as Anglo-Saxon is an archaic relative of English;
  • Dalish, the tongue of Dale (from which came the names of the Dwarves of Durin's Folk), was translated into Old Norse, a language related to Anglo-Saxon and modern English as Dalish was related to Rohirric and Westron;
  • The hobbit names of the Stoors, Buckland as well as some Bree-land names are Celtic;
  • Few "heathen" names related to Rhovanion (such as "Vidugavia") are Gothic, indicating a relationship to Dalish