nazg

From Tolkien Gateway

nazg means "(finger-)ring" or "magic-ring" in the Black Speech.[1][2]

Etymology[edit | edit source]

nazg was an early loan from Elvish words derived from root NASAG.[2] Helge Fauskanger has also noticed the similarity with Valarin naškâd ("ring"), which would probably be the original word, corrupted by Sauron.[3]

Examples[edit | edit source]

Inspiration[edit | edit source]

nazg was inspired by the Gaelic (Irish) word nasc (Scottish: nasg), also meaning ring.[4][5]

References

  1. J.R.R. Tolkien, "Words, Phrases and Passages in Various Tongues in The Lord of the Rings", in Parma Eldalamberon XVII (edited by Christopher Gilson), p. 11
  2. 2.0 2.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, "Quenya Phonology", in Parma Eldalamberon XIX (edited by Christopher Gilson), pp. 17, 101
  3. Helge Fauskanger, "Orkish and the Black Speech", Ardalambion (accessed 24 October 2020)
  4. J.R.R. Tolkien; Humphrey Carpenter, Christopher Tolkien (eds.), The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, Letter 297, (dated August 1967)
  5. J.R.R. Tolkien, "Words, Phrases and Passages in Various Tongues in The Lord of the Rings", in Parma Eldalamberon XVII (edited by Christopher Gilson), p. 12