Talking animals. - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Brego · 08-15-2014, 11:39 AM

So, I was thinking. Can animals in LotR speak? I've wondered this for a while and have a few theories.

In many places the birds are mentioned as being spies, and some of the beasts. The horses seem to be able to understand speech and then there's the fox that comes across the hobbits, and Beorn's animals in the Hobbit, which, it says, he speaks to. Granted, the hobbit is more of a children's book.

Maybe the animals conversed telepathically? With mental pictures and, perhaps, words? My other thought was that in the 'other world/side' that the elves and nazgul live partly in, animals are capable of speech with each other, and, for example, when wearing the ring, you could hear them.

What do you think?

Belegorn · 08-15-2014, 12:29 PM

In The Hobbit when the wargs trap Thorin and Company Gandalf can understand their language when they are talking to one another.

Mithalwen · 08-15-2014, 02:47 PM

The eagles speak, at least to Gandalf the fox is talking to himself, Beorn as a shapeshifter can speak animal rather than the reverse. Normal horses can be trained to respond to simple commands, Gandalf and Shadowfax, well both are a bit special.

Alfirin · 08-15-2014, 05:54 PM

Don't forget Roac the Raven; he can talk too (or is it that Thorin understands raven, I forgot)

Belegorn · 08-15-2014, 06:11 PM

I think it spoke to the Dwarves and to Bard.

Alfirin · 08-16-2014, 05:06 AM

It did, but the question I was not sure of was if it could talk to them in a human language (for the purposes of this, I'm counting Dwarven and Elvish tongues as "human" since I can't think of a better term) or whether Bard and the Dwarves were merely fluent in Ravenspeak. I was concerned some would call into question his ability to "talk" if it was the latter. I suppose that is silly in retrospect; if Shadowfax and other animals that can merely understand human tongues count, then Roac does.

08-15-2014, 11:39 AM	#1
Brego Newly Deceased Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: The Shire Posts: 10	Talking animals. So, I was thinking. Can animals in LotR speak? I've wondered this for a while and have a few theories. In many places the birds are mentioned as being spies, and some of the beasts. The horses seem to be able to understand speech and then there's the fox that comes across the hobbits, and Beorn's animals in the Hobbit, which, it says, he speaks to. Granted, the hobbit is more of a children's book. Maybe the animals conversed telepathically? With mental pictures and, perhaps, words? My other thought was that in the 'other world/side' that the elves and nazgul live partly in, animals are capable of speech with each other, and, for example, when wearing the ring, you could hear them. What do you think?

08-15-2014, 12:29 PM	#2
Belegorn Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Henneth Annûn, Ithilien Posts: 462	In The Hobbit when the wargs trap Thorin and Company Gandalf can understand their language when they are talking to one another. __________________ "For believe me: the secret for harvesting from existence the greatest fruitfulness and the greatest enjoyment is - to live dangerously!" - G.S.; F. Nietzsche

08-15-2014, 02:47 PM	#3
Mithalwen Pilgrim Soul Join Date: May 2004 Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle... Posts: 9,458	The eagles speak, at least to Gandalf the fox is talking to himself, Beorn as a shapeshifter can speak animal rather than the reverse. Normal horses can be trained to respond to simple commands, Gandalf and Shadowfax, well both are a bit special. __________________ “But Finrod walks with Finarfin his father beneath the trees in Eldamar.” Christopher Tolkien, Requiescat in pace

08-15-2014, 06:11 PM	#5
Belegorn Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Henneth Annûn, Ithilien Posts: 462	I think it spoke to the Dwarves and to Bard. __________________ "For believe me: the secret for harvesting from existence the greatest fruitfulness and the greatest enjoyment is - to live dangerously!" - G.S.; F. Nietzsche

08-15-2014, 05:54 PM	#4
Alfirin Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 435	Don't forget Roac the Raven; he can talk too (or is it that Thorin understands raven, I forgot)

08-16-2014, 05:06 AM	#6
Alfirin Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 435	It did, but the question I was not sure of was if it could talk to them in a human language (for the purposes of this, I'm counting Dwarven and Elvish tongues as "human" since I can't think of a better term) or whether Bard and the Dwarves were merely fluent in Ravenspeak. I was concerned some would call into question his ability to "talk" if it was the latter. I suppose that is silly in retrospect; if Shadowfax and other animals that can merely understand human tongues count, then Roac does.