Language forming the Dunedain?

Kirinki54 · 10-05-2002, 03:46 PM

Adunaic was apparently a language heavily influenced by Elvish tongues and Khuzdul. Do you think this affected the qualities and character of the Dunedain as a people?

afro-elf · 10-06-2002, 12:18 AM

I Knew it was influenced by the former but I was unaware of the latter.

Perhaps but didn't they ( they Numenoreans) switch to Adunaic to distance themselves from the West.

markedel · 10-06-2002, 12:57 PM

I think Adunaic was the language that evolved in Hithlum, based on the orginal language of the Edain (which had khuzdul influence) and the Sindarin of the elves.

Kirinki54 · 10-06-2002, 04:19 PM

Some people believe that language and culture are strongly connected. That is discussion I am not really qualified the pursue, but it is appealing to me. And obviously Tolkien attributed a lot of the qualities of the Dunedain/Numenoreans to their ancestry and bloodlines. But still, to Tolkien words and language meant so much. Is it a coincidence that the Adunaic had such a history, in relation to how the people later evolved?

What I mean basically is, is it reasonable to trace back for example the marvellous skills in building and sailing to qualities and preferences mirrored in the language? Or was it mainly the mere contacts and business with Elves and Dwarves that influenced the Dunedain?

markedel · 10-06-2002, 06:57 PM

I think language reflects culture more then culture the language. Language is sort of the ultimate externalization of self certainly for Tolkien.

Millane · 10-07-2002, 08:09 AM

i dont thinkso i think well for the elvish anyway it wouldnt surprise me if lots of middle earth languages could be traced back to elvish they were the first and the best... and as for Khuzdul... well who wouldnt want to speak it??? i know i would.

Kirinki54 · 10-08-2002, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by markedel
I think language reflects culture more then culture the language. Language is sort of the ultimate externalization of self certainly for Tolkien.

For the former, generally I think I might agree with you. But is this true with Tolkien? He invented his stories from words and languages. And internally, language often is connected to creativity, albeit we mostly see it expressed as magic and not technology.

10-05-2002, 03:46 PM	#1
Kirinki54 Elven Warrior Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: European Union Posts: 463	Language forming the Dunedain? Adunaic was apparently a language heavily influenced by Elvish tongues and Khuzdul. Do you think this affected the qualities and character of the Dunedain as a people? __________________ 'They need more gardens,' said Legolas. 'The houses are dead, and there is too little here that grows and is glad. If Aragorn comes into his own, the people of the Wood shall bring him birds that sing and trees that do not die.'

10-06-2002, 12:18 AM	#2
afro-elf Hoplite Nomad Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 3,931	I Knew it was influenced by the former but I was unaware of the latter. Perhaps but didn't they ( they Numenoreans) switch to Adunaic to distance themselves from the West. __________________ About Eowyn, Does anyone know what her alias Dernhelm means? She was kown as dernhelm because of her exclaimation when she realized that the rider's headgear was heavy and obscured her sight. 'Dern Helm" Culled from Entmoot From Kirinski 57 and Wayfarer.

10-06-2002, 12:57 PM	#3
markedel 'Sober' Mullet Frosh Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Queen's Posts: 1,245	I think Adunaic was the language that evolved in Hithlum, based on the orginal language of the Edain (which had khuzdul influence) and the Sindarin of the elves. __________________ "Earnur was a man like his father in valour, but not in wisdom"

10-06-2002, 04:19 PM	#4
Kirinki54 Elven Warrior Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: European Union Posts: 463	Some people believe that language and culture are strongly connected. That is discussion I am not really qualified the pursue, but it is appealing to me. And obviously Tolkien attributed a lot of the qualities of the Dunedain/Numenoreans to their ancestry and bloodlines. But still, to Tolkien words and language meant so much. Is it a coincidence that the Adunaic had such a history, in relation to how the people later evolved? What I mean basically is, is it reasonable to trace back for example the marvellous skills in building and sailing to qualities and preferences mirrored in the language? Or was it mainly the mere contacts and business with Elves and Dwarves that influenced the Dunedain? __________________ 'They need more gardens,' said Legolas. 'The houses are dead, and there is too little here that grows and is glad. If Aragorn comes into his own, the people of the Wood shall bring him birds that sing and trees that do not die.'

10-06-2002, 06:57 PM	#5
markedel 'Sober' Mullet Frosh Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Queen's Posts: 1,245	I think language reflects culture more then culture the language. Language is sort of the ultimate externalization of self certainly for Tolkien. __________________ "Earnur was a man like his father in valour, but not in wisdom"

10-07-2002, 08:09 AM	#6
Millane The Dude Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: at the altar of my ego Posts: 1,685	i dont thinkso i think well for the elvish anyway it wouldnt surprise me if lots of middle earth languages could be traced back to elvish they were the first and the best... and as for Khuzdul... well who wouldnt want to speak it??? i know i would.

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