Which character speaks the most languages? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Roccotari Eldandil · 03-23-2003, 06:33 PM

Being a language freak, I have to know this. (You can include Silmarillion/HoME people too.) I think it's probably Gandalf; he most likely knows:

Valarin
Quenya
Sindarin
Westron
Whatever the Haradrim speak
Adunaic?
Black Speech (he can read the Ring)

If you think of any other stuff or another character that speaks more languages, please post!

**The Saucepan Man** · 03-23-2003, 06:38 PM

Gandalf also understood the language of the Wargs, since he was aware of their discussions below the trees in which he, Bilbo and Thorin and company were trapped in Out of the Frying-Pan into the Fire.

Edit: He probably spoke Entish too, although I cannot think of any evidence offhand.

[ March 23, 2003: Message edited by: The Saucepan Man ]

elven maiden Earwen · 03-23-2003, 07:17 PM

probly any maia or valar would understand the most languges. I belive gandalf could also understand most other animasls or birds speech.

Turambar · 03-23-2003, 07:49 PM

Didn't Aragorn also speak most or all of those languages, as well?

Scott · 03-23-2003, 09:17 PM

Being a Dunedan (or of the Dunedain), Aragorn would have known Adunaic and Westron most certainly. And since he was raised in Rivendell, he would have known Sindarin and probably would have been well versed in Quenya. I don't think he would have had too much exposure to Telerin or Valarin though, or the Black Speech, warg speech, or Haradrim for that matter either. He certainly didn't know how to speek Entish. I don't even know if the Istari could speek it.

***Sharkû*** · 03-24-2003, 03:13 AM

Ómar.
[img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

piosenniel · 03-24-2003, 03:52 AM

The Fëanturi would surely speak all languages.

Lalaith · 03-24-2003, 05:38 AM

Aragorn probably did know the language of Harad, and possibly even other languages of the southern lands, he said he had travelled to those lands of the far south "where the stars are strange," remember?
And he spoke Rohirric, he had ridden with an eored at some point in his life. (Gandalf I am sure also spoke Rohirric.)

Maerbenn · 03-24-2003, 05:39 AM

Eärendil seems to have known many languages. From The Problem of Ros in HoMe XII: The Peoples of Middle-earth:

Quote:

In the havens of refuge, when Morgoth's conquest was all but complete, there were several tongues to be heard. Not only the Sindarin, which was chiefly used, but also its Northern dialect; and among the Men of the Atani some still used their Mannish speeches; and of all these Eärendil had some knowledge. It is said that before Manwë he spoke the errand of Elves and Men first in Sindarin, since that might represent all those of the suppliants who had survived the war with Morgoth; but he repeated it in Quenya, since that was the language of the Ñoldor, who alone were under the ban of the Valar; and he added a prayer in the Mannish tongues of Hador and Bëor, pleading that they were not under the ban, and had aided the Eldar only in their war against Morgoth, the enemy of the Valar.

Inderjit Sanghera · 03-24-2003, 05:56 AM

Feanor was one of the few Elves who could speak Valarin.

Lalaith · 03-24-2003, 06:37 AM

Tell us more Inderjit. How and why did he learn it?

Tinuviel the Nightingale · 03-24-2003, 06:48 AM

Gandalf wasn't the most powerful Maiar there, but he must have been pretty high up on the Valar's list to be allowed to live again. Only a few mortals/immortals got to do that- luthien, beren cant remember if there any more (little off the topic i know but i just have to comment).
Anyway I think Gandalf is able to speak every language there is even Dunlending and Pukel Men Speak.

Tinuviel the Nightingale · 03-24-2003, 06:51 AM

Yeh I think everyone forgot about the poor little fat pukel man and maybe even the dunlendings too. B]Don't they get a say in a ll this???[/B]

Noxomanus · 03-24-2003, 08:57 AM

we shouldn't forget Entish could only be mastered by the Ents themselves,while Khuz-dul was so secret that only very few words were ever wellknown (probably on Kazad(-Dum),Zirakzigil and a few other names and words.

Inderjit Sanghera · 03-24-2003, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Few of the Eldar ever learned to speak Valarin...Feanor indeed, before his discontent, is said to have learnt more of this tounge then any others before his time...but what he knew he kept to himself

HoME 11; Quendi and Eldar

This also shows Feanor's genius in which two able loremasters, Rumil and Pengolodoh were in awe (In a way) of him, when writing this, and mastering Valrin was difficult even for the Noldor. I can post some of the 'real' names of the Valar if you want.

Lalaith · 03-24-2003, 10:25 AM

Oh, go on....

GaladrieloftheOlden · 03-24-2003, 10:34 AM

Well...about Gandalf (sorry if it's been posted, I don't have time right now to read the whole thread [img]smilies/frown.gif[/img] , remember that poem about him that Frodo sang in Lorien? I don't know if this was meant to be figurative, but I think it was mentioned that he spoke languages of animals, etc.

Keeper of Dol Guldur · 03-24-2003, 02:37 PM

No doubt he knew the language of eagles as well (and as far as the film goes moths, but that may be a stretch). I'd assume he knew more dwarven than any non-dwarf. And let's not forget tree-talk. And then there's-

Thank god someone shut me up.

Scott · 03-24-2003, 06:36 PM

I hope no one is forgetting him, I almost did myself... but I think Tom Bombadil might take the cake for languages known (or a possible tie with Gandalf [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]). He claimed to have been around since the beginning, and if he really is a Maiar or some other higher power, he would probably be able to out-speak anyone with a tongue.

Lalaith · 03-26-2003, 04:18 AM

Inderjit, I've been very patiently waiting for those names for days now... [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

Inderjit Sanghera · 03-26-2003, 09:45 AM

Tulka= Tulukhastaz

Manwe=Manawenuz

Ulmo=Uluboz

Lalaith · 03-26-2003, 10:10 AM

Thanks!
Are there any other examples of Valarian?
I wonder what language Tolkien based it on...

Maerbenn · 03-26-2003, 02:33 PM

Valarin - like the glitter of swords by Helge Fauskanger

Lalaith · 03-26-2003, 05:13 PM

Thank you very much.
It's amazing, the new Tolkien knowledge one is always encountering...I had no idea the Valar had their own language.

lore_master · 03-28-2003, 02:56 PM

dont forget that Gandalf (olorin) was tyhe wisest of the mair so he would probably know more than any mair. i would say that Gandalf was conversational in entish and warg, but not really fluent.

Feanor of the Peredhil · 04-07-2003, 02:46 PM

You people are forgetting someone who happened to be a pupil of Aule... a little someone with a knack for these things... that's right... the evil one... the great Sauron himself! He's been everywhere, seen everything, and ruled everyone (except Bombadil!). He's a Maiar so he can percieve what most anything is saying. He can decipher hidden languages (look what he did to Felagund). And as the base-master of all treachery, he probably had invented a few of his own (besides the Black Speech) for his own devious purposes. If not him, I'd have to go for Bombadil, since he is Master. He was the first, so he watched all these puny little languages be born. He probably knows the speech of rocks!

Voralphion · 04-07-2003, 07:22 PM

My guess would be that Aule knew the most languages. Being a Valar he would've known the elven tongues as well as Valarin and probably the language of animals, he also possibly alone of the Valar knew Khuzdul the language of the dwarves as he was the one who first contrived it.

03-23-2003, 06:33 PM	#1
Roccotari Eldandil Haunting Spirit Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: the stables of Lorien Posts: 79	Which character speaks the most languages? Being a language freak, I have to know this. (You can include Silmarillion/HoME people too.) I think it's probably Gandalf; he most likely knows: Valarin Quenya Sindarin Westron Whatever the Haradrim speak Adunaic? Black Speech (he can read the Ring) If you think of any other stuff or another character that speaks more languages, please post! __________________ "Come, come!" he shouted, swinging his axe. "Since Gandalf's head is now sacred, let us find one that is right to cleave!" -Gimli, after hearing Galadriel's message to him in TTT

03-23-2003, 06:38 PM	#2
The Saucepan Man Corpus Cacophonous Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: A green and pleasant land Posts: 8,390	Gandalf also understood the language of the Wargs, since he was aware of their discussions below the trees in which he, Bilbo and Thorin and company were trapped in Out of the Frying-Pan into the Fire. Edit: He probably spoke Entish too, although I cannot think of any evidence offhand. [ March 23, 2003: Message edited by: The Saucepan Man ] __________________ Do you mind? I'm busy doing the fishstick. It's a very delicate state of mind!

03-23-2003, 07:17 PM	#3
elven maiden Earwen Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: A world that never was and never will be Posts: 1,300	probly any maia or valar would understand the most languges. I belive gandalf could also understand most other animasls or birds speech. __________________ We pillage and plunder, we rifle and loot, Drink up me hearties, Yo Ho. the looniest site in the world!!!

03-23-2003, 07:49 PM	#4
Turambar Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Non-Stop Home Posts: 859	Didn't Aragorn also speak most or all of those languages, as well? __________________ In the upper air the fireflies move more slowly.

03-23-2003, 09:17 PM	#5
Scott Wight Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Ohio/Grey Havens Posts: 183	Being a Dunedan (or of the Dunedain), Aragorn would have known Adunaic and Westron most certainly. And since he was raised in Rivendell, he would have known Sindarin and probably would have been well versed in Quenya. I don't think he would have had too much exposure to Telerin or Valarin though, or the Black Speech, warg speech, or Haradrim for that matter either. He certainly didn't know how to speek Entish. I don't even know if the Istari could speek it. __________________ Those who the Gods would destroy, They first make mad. ~Those Crazy Greeks

03-24-2003, 03:13 AM	#6
*Sharkû* Hungry Ghoul Join Date: Jun 2000 Posts: 1,719	Ómar. [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

03-24-2003, 03:52 AM	#7
piosenniel Desultory Dwimmerlaik Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Pickin' flowers with Bill the Cat..... Posts: 7,779	The Fëanturi would surely speak all languages. __________________ Eldest, that’s what I am . . . I knew the dark under the stars when it was fearless - before the Dark Lord came from Outside.

03-24-2003, 05:38 AM	#8
Lalaith Blithe Spirit Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 2,779	Aragorn probably did know the language of Harad, and possibly even other languages of the southern lands, he said he had travelled to those lands of the far south "where the stars are strange," remember? And he spoke Rohirric, he had ridden with an eored at some point in his life. (Gandalf I am sure also spoke Rohirric.) __________________ Out went the candle, and we were left darkling

03-24-2003, 05:56 AM	#10
Inderjit Sanghera Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Wolverhampton, England Posts: 716	Feanor was one of the few Elves who could speak Valarin. __________________ “If I’m more of an influence on your son as a rapper then you are as a father then you've got to look at yourself as a parent” ~>Ice Cube. "Life is so beautiful"->Don Vito Corleone

03-24-2003, 06:37 AM	#11
Lalaith Blithe Spirit Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 2,779	Tell us more Inderjit. How and why did he learn it? __________________ Out went the candle, and we were left darkling

03-24-2003, 06:48 AM	#12
Tinuviel the Nightingale Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Splashing around in Galadriel's Mirror Posts: 299	Gandalf wasn't the most powerful Maiar there, but he must have been pretty high up on the Valar's list to be allowed to live again. Only a few mortals/immortals got to do that- luthien, beren cant remember if there any more (little off the topic i know but i just have to comment). Anyway I think Gandalf is able to speak every language there is even Dunlending and Pukel Men Speak. __________________ I am no longer Saruman the White... I am Saruman THE BRINGER OF ALL THINGS FLUFFY AND SPECIAL! Join Legends of Middle Earth!

03-24-2003, 06:51 AM	#13
Tinuviel the Nightingale Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Splashing around in Galadriel's Mirror Posts: 299	Yeh I think everyone forgot about the poor little fat pukel man and maybe even the dunlendings too. B]Don't they get a say in a ll this???[/B] __________________ I am no longer Saruman the White... I am Saruman THE BRINGER OF ALL THINGS FLUFFY AND SPECIAL! Join Legends of Middle Earth!

03-24-2003, 08:57 AM	#14
Noxomanus Wight Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Netherlands Posts: 233	we shouldn't forget Entish could only be mastered by the Ents themselves,while Khuz-dul was so secret that only very few words were ever wellknown (probably on Kazad(-Dum),Zirakzigil and a few other names and words. __________________ Nothing is evil in the beginning,even Sauron wasn't

03-24-2003, 10:25 AM	#16
Lalaith Blithe Spirit Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 2,779	Oh, go on.... __________________ Out went the candle, and we were left darkling

03-24-2003, 10:34 AM	#17
GaladrieloftheOlden Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Massachusetts - digging up a bottomless hole, searching for something that's not there... Posts: 1,514	Well...about Gandalf (sorry if it's been posted, I don't have time right now to read the whole thread [img]smilies/frown.gif[/img] , remember that poem about him that Frodo sang in Lorien? I don't know if this was meant to be figurative, but I think it was mentioned that he spoke languages of animals, etc. __________________ "Glue... very powerful stuff."

03-24-2003, 02:37 PM	#18
Keeper of Dol Guldur Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: 315, CNY Boys and girls. Posts: 405	No doubt he knew the language of eagles as well (and as far as the film goes moths, but that may be a stretch). I'd assume he knew more dwarven than any non-dwarf. And let's not forget tree-talk. And then there's- Thank god someone shut me up. __________________ "I come from yonder...Have you seen Baggins? Baggins has left, he is coming. He is not far away. I wish to find him. If he passes will you tell me? I will come back with gold." - Khamul the Easterling

03-24-2003, 06:36 PM	#19
Scott Wight Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Ohio/Grey Havens Posts: 183	I hope no one is forgetting him, I almost did myself... but I think Tom Bombadil might take the cake for languages known (or a possible tie with Gandalf [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]). He claimed to have been around since the beginning, and if he really is a Maiar or some other higher power, he would probably be able to out-speak anyone with a tongue. __________________ Those who the Gods would destroy, They first make mad. ~Those Crazy Greeks

03-26-2003, 04:18 AM	#20
Lalaith Blithe Spirit Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 2,779	Inderjit, I've been very patiently waiting for those names for days now... [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] __________________ Out went the candle, and we were left darkling

03-26-2003, 09:45 AM	#21
Inderjit Sanghera Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Wolverhampton, England Posts: 716	Tulka= Tulukhastaz Manwe=Manawenuz Ulmo=Uluboz __________________ “If I’m more of an influence on your son as a rapper then you are as a father then you've got to look at yourself as a parent” ~>Ice Cube. "Life is so beautiful"->Don Vito Corleone

03-26-2003, 10:10 AM	#22
Lalaith Blithe Spirit Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 2,779	Thanks! Are there any other examples of Valarian? I wonder what language Tolkien based it on... __________________ Out went the candle, and we were left darkling

03-26-2003, 02:33 PM	#23
Maerbenn Haunting Spirit Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 59	Valarin - like the glitter of swords by Helge Fauskanger

03-26-2003, 05:13 PM	#24
Lalaith Blithe Spirit Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 2,779	Thank you very much. It's amazing, the new Tolkien knowledge one is always encountering...I had no idea the Valar had their own language. __________________ Out went the candle, and we were left darkling

03-28-2003, 02:56 PM	#25
lore_master Wight Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Valhalla Posts: 116	dont forget that Gandalf (olorin) was tyhe wisest of the mair so he would probably know more than any mair. i would say that Gandalf was conversational in entish and warg, but not really fluent. __________________ As you go the way of life, you will see a great chasm. Jump. It is not as wide as you think

04-07-2003, 02:46 PM	#26
Feanor of the Peredhil La Belle Dame sans Merci Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: perpetual uncertainty Posts: 5,517	You people are forgetting someone who happened to be a pupil of Aule... a little someone with a knack for these things... that's right... the evil one... the great Sauron himself! He's been everywhere, seen everything, and ruled everyone (except Bombadil!). He's a Maiar so he can percieve what most anything is saying. He can decipher hidden languages (look what he did to Felagund). And as the base-master of all treachery, he probably had invented a few of his own (besides the Black Speech) for his own devious purposes. If not him, I'd have to go for Bombadil, since he is Master. He was the first, so he watched all these puny little languages be born. He probably knows the speech of rocks! __________________ peace

04-07-2003, 07:22 PM	#27
Voralphion Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Sharkey's End Posts: 267	My guess would be that Aule knew the most languages. Being a Valar he would've known the elven tongues as well as Valarin and probably the language of animals, he also possibly alone of the Valar knew Khuzdul the language of the dwarves as he was the one who first contrived it. __________________ His sword was long his lance was keen His shining helm afar was seen The countless stars of heavens field Were mirrored in his silver shield