Rohanese: Difference between revisions
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'''Rohirric''' is the language of the [[Rohirrim]] of [[Rohan]]. | '''Rohirric''' is the language of the [[Rohirrim]] of [[Rohan]]. | ||
Rohirric is derived from the language of the [[Éothéod]], who were among the [[Northmen]]. The [[Hobbits]] before their [[Wandering Days]] had contact with that people and their languages had many in common. | |||
Only a few actual Rohirric words are given by Tolkien, such as ''kûd-dûkan'', an old word meaning "hole-dweller," which is related to ''[[kuduk]]'', the name the [[Hobbits]] had for themselves. Even this term was translated in the book: "Hobbit" is said to derive from the Old English word ''Holbytla'' or "hole-builder". | |||
The only other Rohirric given is the element ''lô- / loh-'', which corresponds to the Old English ''éo'' or "horse". The derived names ''Lôgrad'' and ''Lohtûr'' can be matched with ''[[Rohan|Éomarc]]'' ("Horse-mark") and ''[[Éothéod]]'' ("Horse-people"). | The only other Rohirric given is the element ''lô- / loh-'', which corresponds to the Old English ''éo'' or "horse". The derived names ''Lôgrad'' and ''Lohtûr'' can be matched with ''[[Rohan|Éomarc]]'' ("Horse-mark") and ''[[Éothéod]]'' ("Horse-people"). | ||
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The ancestors of the Rohirrim were [[Northmen]], and Rohirric was related to other Northmen languages, such as those of [[Rhovanion]], [[Esgaroth]], and [[Dale]]. | The ancestors of the Rohirrim were [[Northmen]], and Rohirric was related to other Northmen languages, such as those of [[Rhovanion]], [[Esgaroth]], and [[Dale]]. | ||
==Translation== | |||
In the novels Rohirric is always translated through [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_english Old English]. This is because [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] saw the relationship between Rohirric and [[Common Speech]] to be the same as that of Old English and modern English, the later being the translation of Common Speech. | |||
==Name== | ==Name== | ||
Tolkien did not give a known name for the language of the Rohirrim. | Tolkien did not give a known name for the language of the Rohirrim. | ||
Revision as of 11:28, 17 January 2009
Rohirric is the language of the Rohirrim of Rohan.
Rohirric is derived from the language of the Éothéod, who were among the Northmen. The Hobbits before their Wandering Days had contact with that people and their languages had many in common.
Only a few actual Rohirric words are given by Tolkien, such as kûd-dûkan, an old word meaning "hole-dweller," which is related to kuduk, the name the Hobbits had for themselves. Even this term was translated in the book: "Hobbit" is said to derive from the Old English word Holbytla or "hole-builder".
The only other Rohirric given is the element lô- / loh-, which corresponds to the Old English éo or "horse". The derived names Lôgrad and Lohtûr can be matched with Éomarc ("Horse-mark") and Éothéod ("Horse-people").
All names beginning with Éo- are actually names beginning with Lô- or Loh-, but the real names of Éomer, Éowyn, etc. are not given. Only one proper name is offered, that of Théoden, whose actual name was Tûrac ("King"). His name shows the influence of Elvish languages in Rohirric — the prefix tur- means "master" or "lord" in Sindarin.
The ancestors of the Rohirrim were Northmen, and Rohirric was related to other Northmen languages, such as those of Rhovanion, Esgaroth, and Dale.
Translation
In the novels Rohirric is always translated through Old English. This is because Tolkien saw the relationship between Rohirric and Common Speech to be the same as that of Old English and modern English, the later being the translation of Common Speech.
Name
Tolkien did not give a known name for the language of the Rohirrim.
Rohirric seems to be an invention of Robert Foster in his Complete Guide to Middle-earth. Perhaps it was modelled on "Rohirrim" and the -ic of "Adûnaic". However the double r has no place here, since it derives from singular Rohir and the plural ending rim.
Tolkien himself used the adjective Rohanese in The Rivers and Beacon-hills of Gondor but it is not clear if he refers to the language or the names.
Lisa Star mentions that Rohirian is found in a manuscript labeled Mq15:10 and also in Peoples of Middle-earth p. 55, which is untrue. It has been also suggested that the manuscript actually says Rohirin but it is just a theory.
