The alphabets of Middle Earth languages

[badlands]

Are there any? Or, just basic words or pronunciation? I wonder if Tolkien ha made alphabets for the languages of Middle Earth?? It would make the languages as popular as the Star Trek ones?

[Alvin Eriol]

Pull out your copy of Lord of the Rings, (or, Return of the King if you've got the traditional three volumes), and check out Appendix E for an explanation of 2 basic writing systems featured. There were also samples in the text (the Ring inscription, the Gate of Moria, Balin's tomb in Moria). The languages and the letters have indeed been popular among fans, but it was often necessary to "fill in gaps" with extrapolations, guesses, and fanfic, as JRRT never undertook to produce formal full dictionaries and complete grammars of his Middle-Earth languages. (The accepted Klingon was invented deliberately by linguist-fans looking to develop a consistent language that could be used in movie dialog; Peter Jackson's production people did some similar work to "flesh out" the Elvish languages and writing to allow passages to be spoken for his LotR movies) Nonetheless, Appendix E ought to give you enough on the subject to read till your eyes bleed.

Also look up the website "Parma Endorion" for more info assembled by serious fans, and the Tolkien Society.

[Agaricus]

Pull out your copy of Lord of the Rings, (or, Return of the King if you've got the traditional three volumes), and check out Appendix E for an explanation of 2 basic writing systems featured. There were also samples in the text (the Ring inscription, the Gate of Moria, Balin's tomb in Moria). The languages and the letters have indeed been popular among fans, but it was often necessary to "fill in gaps" with extrapolations, guesses, and fanfic, as JRRT never undertook to produce formal full dictionaries and complete grammars of his Middle-Earth languages. (The accepted Klingon was invented deliberately by linguist-fans looking to develop a consistent language that could be used in movie dialog; Peter Jackson's production people did some similar work to "flesh out" the Elvish languages and writing to allow passages to be spoken for his LotR movies) Nonetheless, Appendix E ought to give you enough on the subject to read till your eyes bleed.

Also look up the website "Parma Endorion" for more info assembled by serious fans, and the Tolkien Society.

Yes indeed, the Appendices did supply many hours of entertainment.

[Michael]

If I recall correctly, he described writing modes for Sindarin (Beleriandic and possiblly later), Black Speech, Khuzdul, and "northman". I should scan the indices but I'm kind of busy today and just browsing the forums.