pronunciations

Gamigar · 06-30-2003, 02:06 AM

Quick question: Would someone please tell me how to pronounce the name Tolkien!

I have been told there is an American way and a British way.
American:{Tol-kin]
British:{Tol-keen}

Personally I use the "British" way because he lived in Britain so I assume that's the correct way to pronounce it.

Sorry, that wasn't very quick was it?

gollum9630 · 06-30-2003, 02:22 AM

i saw a show that pronounced it Tol-kin, so thats how i say it.

***Sister Golden Hair*** · 06-30-2003, 09:36 AM

I have always heard it pronounced, and I pronounce it- Tol-keen.

Linaewen · 06-30-2003, 09:40 AM

I pronounce all the letters- hence Tolk-ee-en. It doesn't matter which way I say it- people are always going to think I say "talkin' " or something anyway.

Shadowfax · 06-30-2003, 10:36 AM

I have always said Tol-keen.

Gamigar · 06-30-2003, 11:36 AM

Quote:

"people are always going to think i say talkin or something anyway"

Not me, I start goin off rambling if I hear a word that even remotely resembles ANYTHING in LotR

Artanis · 06-30-2003, 01:56 PM

I say Tol-kee-en, with emphasis on the first syllable, but only because that's the natural Norwegian pronunciation, and I'm not sure what the actual pronunciation is.

gimli7410 · 06-30-2003, 02:11 PM

i say tolkin but i do hear tolkeen alot.

Sheeana · 06-30-2003, 04:36 PM

I know it's supposed to be Tol-keen, but I say Tol-kin. Too hard to break the bad habits I'm afraid.

gimli7410 · 06-30-2003, 05:27 PM

i used to always call legolas leee-go-las instead of lay-go-las but i got over the habit

Artanis · 06-30-2003, 06:13 PM

I think Legolas should be pronounced Leh-goh-las.

LutraMage · 06-30-2003, 06:16 PM

In England Tolkien in generally pronouced 'Tol-keen' and I believe that is how JRR pronouced it himself. When the BBC put on anything to do with the Great Man or his works, they always pronouce it 'Tol-keen', and the Beeb is usually pretty spot on on those types of things.

gimli7410 · 06-30-2003, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Artanis
I think Legolas should be pronounced Leh-goh-las.

yea thats how i say it now.

Gamigar · 06-30-2003, 10:16 PM

Me too

cassiopeia · 06-30-2003, 10:33 PM

If I remember correctly, Tolkien said in the Letters that it's pronounced 'Tol-keen'. If that's how Tolkien says it, then that's how we should say it. Unfortunately I've been saying 'Tol-kin' for years, so I always have to correct myself.

Like I always said 'Leg-gol-las', instead of 'Lego-las'.

Gamigar · 06-30-2003, 10:47 PM

I agree, whatever way he pronounced it is the right way.

P.S.
How do I change my icon?
And if possible, how do I change my member name.

***Sister Golden Hair*** · 06-30-2003, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Gamigar
I agree, whatever way he pronounced it is the right way.

P.S.
How do I change my icon?
And if possible, how do I change my member name.

You mean your avatar? You can't change your member name. Sorry. Or are you refering to your title?

Gwaimir Windgem · 06-30-2003, 11:03 PM

Yeah, he said it was "tohl-keen", if I remember correctly.

Gamigar · 06-30-2003, 11:11 PM

My title is the thing that says hobbit right?

***Sister Golden Hair*** · 06-30-2003, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Gamigar
My title is the thing that says hobbit right?

Right, and you may choose a custom title after 500 posts. Your username "Gamigar" is what you're stuck with.

06-30-2003, 02:06 AM	#1
Gamigar Elven Warrior Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: somewhere between here and there Posts: 116	pronunciations Quick question: Would someone please tell me how to pronounce the name Tolkien! I have been told there is an American way and a British way. American:{Tol-kin] British:{Tol-keen} Personally I use the "British" way because he lived in Britain so I assume that's the correct way to pronounce it. Sorry, that wasn't very quick was it? __________________ The road goes ever on and on Down from the door where it began Now far ahead the road has gone And I must follow if I can Pursuing it with eager feet Until it joins some larger way Where many paths and errands meet And wither then I can not say

06-30-2003, 02:22 AM	#2
gollum9630 Canadian Guy. Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: The true North Strong and Free Posts: 1,513	i saw a show that pronounced it Tol-kin, so thats how i say it. __________________ "Canadians are so apathetic, but, what are you gonna do about it" -Glen Foster Wierd Harry Potter quotes the old nintendo duck hunt game Lemmings Swron Random Homer Simpson Quotes

06-30-2003, 09:36 AM	#3
*Sister Golden Hair* Queen of Nargothrond Administrator Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Akron, Ohio - USA Posts: 7,121	I have always heard it pronounced, and I pronounce it- Tol-keen. __________________ "Whither go you?" she said. "North away." he said: "to the swords, and the siege, and the walls of defence - that yet for a while in Beleriand rivers may run clean, leaves spring, and birds build their nests, ere Night comes." AboutNewJersey.com - New Jersey Travel and Tourism Guide

06-30-2003, 10:36 AM	#5
Shadowfax The Fleet-Footed Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: British Columbia Posts: 913	I have always said Tol-keen. __________________ Jesus saved me "To remain ignorant of things that happened before you were born is to remain a child" (Cicero, 106-43 B.C.) "Art is a lie which makes us realize the truth" (Picasso)

06-30-2003, 01:56 PM	#7
Artanis Greatest Elven woman of Aman Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Having way too much fun with Fëanor's 7 Posts: 4,285	I say Tol-kee-en, with emphasis on the first syllable, but only because that's the natural Norwegian pronunciation, and I'm not sure what the actual pronunciation is. __________________ --Life is hard, and then we die.

06-30-2003, 09:40 AM	#4
Linaewen Fair Dinkum Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 2,319	I pronounce all the letters- hence Tolk-ee-en. It doesn't matter which way I say it- people are always going to think I say "talkin' " or something anyway.

06-30-2003, 02:11 PM	#8
gimli7410 the dumb stoner canuck Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: canada Posts: 2,542	i say tolkin but i do hear tolkeen alot. __________________ -"Down with the system"-Serj tankian of system of a down -“Humans have been on the earth for millions of years, yet we don’t believe man began thinking until he started building walls. And what good have these walls ever done us?”-Serj tankian of soad -"stupid people do stupid things"-Serj tankian of soad "Trying is the first step to failure" Homer Simpson "It isn't going to be easy"-jerseydevil "only the good die young" I AM CANADIAN If the people lead, the leaders will follow.

06-30-2003, 04:36 PM	#9
Sheeana Lord of the Pants Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 1,382	I know it's supposed to be Tol-keen, but I say Tol-kin. Too hard to break the bad habits I'm afraid.

06-30-2003, 05:27 PM	#10
gimli7410 the dumb stoner canuck Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: canada Posts: 2,542	i used to always call legolas leee-go-las instead of lay-go-las but i got over the habit __________________ -"Down with the system"-Serj tankian of system of a down -“Humans have been on the earth for millions of years, yet we don’t believe man began thinking until he started building walls. And what good have these walls ever done us?”-Serj tankian of soad -"stupid people do stupid things"-Serj tankian of soad "Trying is the first step to failure" Homer Simpson "It isn't going to be easy"-jerseydevil "only the good die young" I AM CANADIAN If the people lead, the leaders will follow.

06-30-2003, 06:13 PM	#11
Artanis Greatest Elven woman of Aman Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Having way too much fun with Fëanor's 7 Posts: 4,285	I think Legolas should be pronounced Leh-goh-las. __________________ --Life is hard, and then we die.

06-30-2003, 06:16 PM	#12
LutraMage Elven Warrior Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Tolkien's England where the tale grew in the telling... Posts: 330	In England Tolkien in generally pronouced 'Tol-keen' and I believe that is how JRR pronouced it himself. When the BBC put on anything to do with the Great Man or his works, they always pronouce it 'Tol-keen', and the Beeb is usually pretty spot on on those types of things.

06-30-2003, 10:16 PM	#14
Gamigar Elven Warrior Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: somewhere between here and there Posts: 116	Me too __________________ The road goes ever on and on Down from the door where it began Now far ahead the road has gone And I must follow if I can Pursuing it with eager feet Until it joins some larger way Where many paths and errands meet And wither then I can not say

06-30-2003, 10:33 PM	#15
cassiopeia Viggoholic Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Australia Posts: 1,749	If I remember correctly, Tolkien said in the Letters that it's pronounced 'Tol-keen'. If that's how Tolkien says it, then that's how we should say it. Unfortunately I've been saying 'Tol-kin' for years, so I always have to correct myself. Like I always said 'Leg-gol-las', instead of 'Lego-las'. __________________ Kids, you tried your best and you failed miserably. The lesson is, never try.

06-30-2003, 10:47 PM	#16
Gamigar Elven Warrior Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: somewhere between here and there Posts: 116	I agree, whatever way he pronounced it is the right way. P.S. How do I change my icon? And if possible, how do I change my member name. __________________ The road goes ever on and on Down from the door where it began Now far ahead the road has gone And I must follow if I can Pursuing it with eager feet Until it joins some larger way Where many paths and errands meet And wither then I can not say

06-30-2003, 11:03 PM	#18
Gwaimir Windgem Dread Mothy Lord and Halfwitted Apprentice Loremaster Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Thomas Aquinas College, Santa Paula, CA Posts: 10,820	Yeah, he said it was "tohl-keen", if I remember correctly. __________________ Crux fidelis, inter omnes arbor una nobilis. Nulla talem silva profert, fronde, flore, germine. Dulce lignum, dulce clavo, dulce pondus sustinens. 'With a melon?' - Eric Idle

06-30-2003, 11:11 PM	#19
Gamigar Elven Warrior Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: somewhere between here and there Posts: 116	My title is the thing that says hobbit right? __________________ The road goes ever on and on Down from the door where it began Now far ahead the road has gone And I must follow if I can Pursuing it with eager feet Until it joins some larger way Where many paths and errands meet And wither then I can not say

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