| ! | Non-canon alert The subject of this article originates from non-canonical sources. To learn about what is considered "canon", see LOTR:Canon. |
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Neo-Languages is the conventional name of the different attempts of use the languages invented for Arda by J.R.R. Tolkien.
Usually the neo-languages aren't original works, but are created from comparative and reconstructive methods from the canonical sources.[1] However, neo-languages can present varying degrees of 'truthfulness to the source'.
History[]
During his whole life, Tolkien often revised his languages and never completed a definite set of rules for them, because he didn't create them to be used outside from his own literary production. For this reason, every posthumous attempt to build a complete grammar, knowing the etymological-derivational mechanics and introducing productive standardization, regularization and even reconstruction,[1] would be totally conventional and subjective. However, the study of Tolkien's linguistics received new impetus thanks to the publication of The Silmarillion, the Unfinished Tales and mostly The History of Middle-earth. Peter Jackson's movie trilogy about The Lord of the Rings gave a new boost to the study of Tolkien's linguistics, because several lyrics were in some neo-languages. These neo-languages were reconstructed by the linguist David Salo.
Usage[]
The study and the teaching are not the only purposes behind the creation of the neo-languages; some attempts have been for use in fanfictions and adaptations. For example, some scholar tried to use the neo-languages for translations of Tolkien's works[2] or pre-existing literature (such as Biblical passages, Christian prayers, original short poems and stories etc.).
Critics[]
Despite the reconstruction of Tolkien’s linguistics is based on the serious studies of the Canon, its result can’t produce anything that can be fully considered part of Tolkien’s creations.[1] Furthermore, there is no universal and homogeneous consensus on neo-languages, and each work is completely subjective and reflects only the personal understanding and preferences of its author at the time of writing. For example, different authors have adopted mutually exclusive conventions and normalizations. This fact caused the issue that some conventions are presented and passed over and finally adopted as facts by newcomers to the field without any rational criterion. Some interpretations that initially offered a good framework were subsequently considered obsolete by later publications of Tolkien's papers. Critics have also pointed out that some reconstruction are supported by inadequate references, making no distinction between proper sources. Furthermore, the authors who worked on neo-languages had an ambiguous relationships with the conceptual history of Tolkien’s languages, generally preferring late form to usually inconsistent early forms, simultaneously adopting early forms to fill the gaps in late forms.[3]
A strong critic is based on the inference that Tolkien never intended to finalize his language, which should be considered as fluid in their very nature, because they were a simple product of his creativity and will of experimentation.[4]
List of neo-languages[]
- Elvish neo-languages:
- Mannish neo-languages:
- Dwarvish neo-languages:
- Entish neo-languages:
- Neo-Entish
- Neo-Languages of the Ainur: