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{{youmay|the historical Runes of Europe|Tolkien's [[Cirth]] of [[Middle-earth]]}}
{{disambig-two|the historical runes of Europe also used in ''[[The Hobbit]]''|runes used in [[Middle-earth]]|[[Cirth]]}}
{{quote|Whatever are runes? |[[Bilbo Baggins]], ''[[Rankin/Bass' The Hobbit]]''}}
[[Image:Dwarfrunes.JPEG|thumb|The Anglo-Saxon runes as used in ''[[The Hobbit]]'']]
[[Image:Dwarfrunes.JPEG|thumb|The Anglo-Saxon runes as used in ''[[The Hobbit]]'']]
'''Runes''' was a system of writing based on angular shapes that could easily be carved into wood or stone. Originated and used mainly by northern tribes of Europe such as Anglo-Saxon and the Norse. One theory says that Runes evolved from Etruscan writing, however other quasi-runic scripts in other parts of the world (Rovasziras and Orkhon Script) exist.
{{quote|Whatever are runes? |[[Bilbo Baggins]], [[The Hobbit (1977 film)|''The Hobbit'' (1977 film)]]}}
The '''Runic alphabet''' was a system of writing based on angular shapes that could easily be carved into wood or stone. It originated and was used mainly in Northern Europe, by the [[Old English|Anglo-Saxons]] and the [[Old Norse|Norse tribes]]. One theory says that Runes evolved from Etruscan writing, however other quasi-runic scripts in other parts of the world ([[wikipedia:Rovásírás|Rovásírás]] and [[wikipedia:Orkhon script|Orkhon Script]]) also exist.


[[Tolkien]] decided that his [[races|people]]s of [[Arda]] would also use a similar script, and "Runes" are mentioned in his narratives.
==Tolkien and Runes==
[[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] decided that his [[races|people]]s of [[Arda]] would also use a similar script, and "Runes" are mentioned in his narratives.


In ''[[The Hobbit]]'', Tolkien used [[Old English]] runes to display the writing of the [[Dwarves]] on the [[Thrór's Map]]; his Dwarves however were based mainly on Norse culture and [[Khuzdul|their language]] is influenced of Semitic languages<ref>http://folk.uib.no/hnohf/khuzdul.htm</ref>. The texts of course are modern English, to display the use of [[Westron]] of [[Third Age]].
In ''[[The Hobbit]]'', Tolkien used [[Old English]] runes, or [[wikipedia:Futhorc|Futhorc]], to display the writing of the [[Dwarves]] on the [[Thrór's Map]]; his Dwarves however were based mainly on Norse culture and [[Khuzdul|their language]] is influenced of Semitic languages.<ref>[[Helge Fauskanger]], "[http://folk.uib.no/hnohf/khuzdul.htm Khuzdul]", ''[[Ardalambion]]''</ref> The texts of course are modern English, and display the use of [[Westron]] of [[Third Age]].


Eventually Tolkien elaborated on a totally original runic writing system while writing ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]''. Although most of the letters between historical runes and Tolkien's "cirth" are identical, they don't share the same values, since the Cirth follow the phonetic principles of the [[Tengwar]].
The foreword of ''The Hobbit'' (50th anniversary edition and later) explains the usage of the Old English runes and help the reader read the Map (although the translations are also revealed in the end of Chapter 3, ''[[A Short Rest]]'')
 
Eventually Tolkien elaborated on a totally original runic writing system while writing ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]''. Although most of the letters between historical runes and Tolkien's "cirth" are identical, they do not share the same values, since the Cirth follow the phonetic principles of the [[Tengwar]].


In the history of [[Arda]], a runic script called [[Cirth]] was invented by [[Daeron]] of [[Doriath]] to represent [[Sindarin]] words. Runes came to be used widely by races other than the [[Elves]], and especially by the [[Dwarves]].
In the history of [[Arda]], a runic script called [[Cirth]] was invented by [[Daeron]] of [[Doriath]] to represent [[Sindarin]] words. Runes came to be used widely by races other than the [[Elves]], and especially by the [[Dwarves]].


[[Category:Writing systems]]
{{references}}
==External links==
* {{WP|Runes}}
*[http://www.tolkiensociety.org/ed/study_02.html Writing: as close to real magic as you can get] at the [http://www.tolkiensociety.org tolkiensociety.org]
*[http://www.acondia.com/fonts/runes/info/index.html Historical Runes as used by Tolkien in ''The Hobbit''] and also a downloadable [[font]] by [[Dan Smith]]
[[Category:Languages (real-world)]]

Revision as of 21:18, 23 March 2014

This article is about the historical runes of Europe also used in The Hobbit. For the runes used in Middle-earth, see Cirth.
File:Dwarfrunes.JPEG
The Anglo-Saxon runes as used in The Hobbit
"Whatever are runes? "
Bilbo Baggins, The Hobbit (1977 film)

The Runic alphabet was a system of writing based on angular shapes that could easily be carved into wood or stone. It originated and was used mainly in Northern Europe, by the Anglo-Saxons and the Norse tribes. One theory says that Runes evolved from Etruscan writing, however other quasi-runic scripts in other parts of the world (Rovásírás and Orkhon Script) also exist.

Tolkien and Runes

Tolkien decided that his peoples of Arda would also use a similar script, and "Runes" are mentioned in his narratives.

In The Hobbit, Tolkien used Old English runes, or Futhorc, to display the writing of the Dwarves on the Thrór's Map; his Dwarves however were based mainly on Norse culture and their language is influenced of Semitic languages.[1] The texts of course are modern English, and display the use of Westron of Third Age.

The foreword of The Hobbit (50th anniversary edition and later) explains the usage of the Old English runes and help the reader read the Map (although the translations are also revealed in the end of Chapter 3, A Short Rest)

Eventually Tolkien elaborated on a totally original runic writing system while writing The Lord of the Rings. Although most of the letters between historical runes and Tolkien's "cirth" are identical, they do not share the same values, since the Cirth follow the phonetic principles of the Tengwar.

In the history of Arda, a runic script called Cirth was invented by Daeron of Doriath to represent Sindarin words. Runes came to be used widely by races other than the Elves, and especially by the Dwarves.

References

External links