Re: Umlauts (was Re: Elves and Ill Bethisad)
From: | John Cowan <jcowan@...> |
Date: | Friday, October 24, 2003, 20:14 |
Ray Brown scripsit:
> Are you thinking of Welsh words like 'gweddïo' (to pray)
> and 'copïau (copies)?
Quite likely. I agree that this is indeed logical.
> >JRRT's manuscripts also do this unsystematically,
>
> Welsh influence?
More likely just sloppy and hasty writing. Quenya too has only falling
diphthongs, although "in the Third Age" iu was often pronounced rising --
perhaps a concession to, or an imitation of, modern English speech habits.
--
Winter: MIT, John Cowan
Keio, INRIA, jcowan@reutershealth.com
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Might simplicity return? (A "tanka", or extended haiku)