Help. - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

09-15-2006, 03:07 PM

A friend of mine recently send me a letter in Elvish. Unfortunately, I don't speak it! If I uploaded pictures could someone translate it for me?

Mänwe · 10-11-2006, 05:29 PM

Send the pictures to my hotmail account, which you can find in my profile.

ninja91 · 10-11-2006, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mänwë

Send the pictures to my hotmail account, which you can find in my profile.

Whoa... you can translate Elvish?!

JennyHallu · 10-12-2006, 06:14 AM

Elvish letters are often used according to the phonetic descriptions Tolkien gave us, in a sort of substitution code: usually the words are in the language of origin, but just written using Tengwar letters.

Eomer of the Rohirrim · 10-12-2006, 07:26 AM

That's funny. I once sent someone a letter in code, just to freak him out.

Mänwe · 10-12-2006, 07:46 AM

ninja, I am learning.

Though when I came across the appenidix concerned with the languages in my copy of the trilogy, I studied the tables that he had provided and set about setting up my own alphabet and writing in it. Exactly as JennyHallu has said, and once you have familiarity with each symbol for each letter or sound you can start to translate things.

That is too say I suspect that Swift's friend has as Jenny also says, has substituted our alphabet for one of his own. The complication with the tables in the appendix is that there are several symbols for the same letter of our alphabet or sound, thus it is a question of finding which one he/she is using.

I myself using the table can get a few different versions of the alphabet because of the variety of Tengwar letters per letter and sound. It is nothing impressive really, what is impressive is what I am learning at the moment. 'Proper' writing and translation of Elvish.

ninja91 · 10-12-2006, 09:35 AM

Wow, Manwe , that is really impressive. I know it takes alot of dedication and practice to learn such an intricate language. By the way, congragulations on it too. I dont think I would learn it, not because that I think it is nerdy (it really is'nt) but I dont think that I would have the patience. Cheers to you, Manwe !

10-12-2006, 10:01 AM

I want to learn how to speak English.

Mänwe · 10-12-2006, 10:15 AM

ninja you are far too kind! I really am a novice.

OrcLeaderalpha then you have come to the right site, for English is the 'mother' language here. You'll pick it up in no time i'm sure!

10-12-2006, 07:17 PM

I know how to speak english. I apologize for messing around. I am just so stupid!

09-15-2006, 03:07 PM	#1
TheSwift Guest Posts: n/a	Help. A friend of mine recently send me a letter in Elvish. Unfortunately, I don't speak it! If I uploaded pictures could someone translate it for me?

10-11-2006, 05:29 PM	#2
Mänwe Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: May as well be the Arctic Circle Posts: 283	In response... Send the pictures to my hotmail account, which you can find in my profile. __________________ "I am, I fear, a most unsatisfactory person." - (Letter #124 To Sir Stanley Unwin)

10-12-2006, 06:14 AM	#4
JennyHallu The Pearl, The Lily Maid Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: In my luxury Barrow, snuggled up in a pile of satin pillows, eating fresh fruit. Posts: 1,628	Elvish letters are often used according to the phonetic descriptions Tolkien gave us, in a sort of substitution code: usually the words are in the language of origin, but just written using Tengwar letters. __________________ <=== Lookee, lookee, lots of IM handles!

10-12-2006, 07:26 AM	#5
Eomer of the Rohirrim Auspicious Wraith Join Date: May 2002 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 4,859	That's funny. I once sent someone a letter in code, just to freak him out. __________________ Los Ingobernables de Harlond

10-12-2006, 07:46 AM	#6
Mänwe Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: May as well be the Arctic Circle Posts: 283	ninja, I am learning. Though when I came across the appenidix concerned with the languages in my copy of the trilogy, I studied the tables that he had provided and set about setting up my own alphabet and writing in it. Exactly as JennyHallu has said, and once you have familiarity with each symbol for each letter or sound you can start to translate things. That is too say I suspect that Swift's friend has as Jenny also says, has substituted our alphabet for one of his own. The complication with the tables in the appendix is that there are several symbols for the same letter of our alphabet or sound, thus it is a question of finding which one he/she is using. I myself using the table can get a few different versions of the alphabet because of the variety of Tengwar letters per letter and sound. It is nothing impressive really, what is impressive is what I am learning at the moment. 'Proper' writing and translation of Elvish. __________________ "I am, I fear, a most unsatisfactory person." - (Letter #124 To Sir Stanley Unwin)

10-12-2006, 10:01 AM	#8
OrcLeaderalpha Guest Posts: n/a	I want to learn how to speak English.

10-12-2006, 10:15 AM	#9
Mänwe Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: May as well be the Arctic Circle Posts: 283	In response... ninja you are far too kind! I really am a novice. OrcLeaderalpha then you have come to the right site, for English is the 'mother' language here. You'll pick it up in no time i'm sure! __________________ "I am, I fear, a most unsatisfactory person." - (Letter #124 To Sir Stanley Unwin) Last edited by Mänwë; 10-13-2006 at 02:38 AM.

10-12-2006, 07:17 PM	#10
OrcLeaderalpha Guest Posts: n/a	I know how to speak english. I apologize for messing around. I am just so stupid!