This is the book on all of Tolkien's invented languages, spoken by hobbits, elves, and men of Middle-earth -- a dicitonary of fourteen languages, a...
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reviews
Oct 25, 2011
Miss Clark
rated it: 
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Jul 16, 2011
Kirsten
rated it:
A very useful guide to Tolkien's invented languages, but is mostly a tool or study-guide rather than a work that can be enjoyably read from cover to cover. It's a good one to have on the shelf for reference if you are a Tolkien fan, but I think it is aimed at the people who are interested in the "private lang" aspect of Tolkien's work more than his stories.
Jul 25, 2011
Harle
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I found it very informative, especially on the subject of Westron- if you're a Hobbit lover this is a definite must-read. However, I hear that the elvish is extremely spotty and outdated. It's a really good read if you're interested in Westron and the like, but I'm not going to recommend it for the Quenyan and Sindarin.
Jul 08, 2009
Tams
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I ordered this book and bought it from barnes and noble a long time ago. I remember enjoying it and that I did learn a lot more about the languages of Middle-Earth. I thought of it again the other day and tried to find it but could not. I would like to read it again.
Jul 18, 2009
Dawson
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Exactly like it sounds...and dry and dull unless you have an interest in learning a make-believe language. An interesting study in the creation of a language out of one man's head, but...well, how often does that really happen?
Mar 10, 2010
Sonya
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Ruth seems to know quite a bit about Tolkiens Middle earth. However, you can pull most of this info from the Appendices of the Trilogy. The languages and things like that can't be found in the books are in the back.
Oct 27, 2009
Lindsay
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It was very interesting to read a little about how J.R.R. Tolkien made the languages of middle earth, and how to say things in Elvish, Dwarvish, and the races of men. I just wish it were longer and included more words. Good for linguists geeks (or LOTR geeks).
May 20, 2009
At one time an interesting book but now very much out of date and inaccurate based on Tolkiens work on languages - caveat emptor for those buying this book - it is not uptodate - perhaps a revision????
Feb 05, 2010
Noah
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An excellent little guide to the languages of Middle Earth. Sadly, as Tolkien died before fully fleshing out most of his languages, they now sit as half-lived husks, beautiful and unfinished.
Jul 20, 2011
Tori
rated it:
Very cool non-fiction book on the development and real-world roots of Tolkien's languages. A good guide for interested parties.
Sep 12, 2009
David
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Fascinating, and even inspired me to use Elvish in some of my art projects and to track down Elvish fonts for computers ...
Feb 04, 2010
Anealreilly
rated it:
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Apr 15, 2009
Anie
rated it:
An nice little book. If you don't know much about Tolkien's languages, it will explain a tantalizing amount. The dictionary is really nice if you're into the languages, and just kind of an amusing curiosity otherwise.
Aug 22, 2008
Heidi
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This book enabled me, at 9, to start envisioning, designing, imagining other languages, other ways of communicating, to go with my imaginary worlds.
I learned to write in elvish and a couple of runic languages Tolkien devised, then shared this with a friend, allowing us to completely bypass the limitations of school and authority. With language. Holy shit, it opened a door I'd never thought to see.
I named my first horse after this book; it had that large an effect on my conciousness.
I learned to write in elvish and a couple of runic languages Tolkien devised, then shared this with a friend, allowing us to completely bypass the limitations of school and authority. With language. Holy shit, it opened a door I'd never thought to see.
I named my first horse after this book; it had that large an effect on my conciousness.
Nov 28, 2007
This is a linguistics book - it`s pretty dry, but if you find linguistics exciting, it may be just the kind of dry you like. Grab a copy at the bookstore and page through it before you think about buying it.
Jan 14, 2011
Logan
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I invented my own language after being inspired by Tolkien and Latin some six years ago, and this book influenced me greatly. It is very out-dated, and internet-sources should serve you better.
Nov 11, 2008
Arisugawa
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This is an expansion of the appendix that is found at the back of the return of the king. It's a great description of how to properly pronounce the elven languages. A must for a Tolkien fan.
Mar 05, 2008
James M.
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This is a fine little introductory book, even though it's now somewhat dated given the more recent publications of more of Tolkien's own language work.
Aug 22, 2007
Justin
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Want to speak in the languages of Middle Earth? Here you go! Knock yourself out. My old manager @ the b&n and I had tons of fun with this book.
Feb 25, 2008
Heather
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This is a really interesting view into the things that Tolkien put into his languages, and is also fun if you like to do encrypting.
Dec 16, 2009
Chris
rated it:
The ultimate nerd book, but great for Tolkien fans, linquiphiles, and GMs.
Feb 11, 2012
Feb 11, 2012
