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Re: "Common" Tongues

From:John Cowan <jcowan@...>
Date:Sunday, February 23, 2003, 23:06
Mau Rauszer scripsit:

> > according to what i've read, most of what is known of adunaic is > > "classical adunaic", while westron developed from "low adunaic", sort of > > like how the romance languages developed from vulgar latin, while > > classical latin is more well known. > > oh, thanks. I am always interested in Tolkien :)
In Appendix F to the L.R., JRRT writes: # In the years of their power the Númenoreans had maintained many forts # and havens upon the western coasts of Middle-earth for the help of their # ships; and one of the chief of these was at Pelargir near the Mouths of # Anduin. There Adûnaic was spoken, and mingled with many words of the # languages of lesser men it became a Common Speech that spread thence # along the coasts among all that had dealings with Westernesse. After the # Downfall of Númenor, Elendil led the survivors of the Elf-friends back to # the North-western shores of Middle-earth. There many already dwelt who # were in whole or part of Númenorean blood; but few of them remembered # the Elvish speech. All told the Dúnedain were thus from the beginning # far fewer in number than the lesser men among whom they dwelt and whom # they ruled, being lords of long life and great power and wisdom. They # used therefore the Common Speech in their dealing with other folk and in # the government of their wide realms; but they enlarged the language and # enriched it with many words drawn from the Elven-tongues. In the days of # the Númenorean kings this ennobled Westron speech spread far and wide, # even among their enemies; and it became used more and more by the Dúnedain # themselves [...]. -- "May the hair on your toes never fall out!" John Cowan --Thorin Oakenshield (to Bilbo) jcowan@reutershealth.com