Abstract
For J. R. R. Tolkien, the languages he invented for Middle-earth came first, the stories second. Much of his linguistic creation was based on the idea that the sound of a language can create a sense of pleasure or displeasure in those hearing it, irrespective of the meaning behind the words. This can be seen in the ways the sound of the elvish languages on the one hand and Tolkien’s other invented languages such as Khuzdul or the Black Speech on the other, are described not only by Tolkien himself but also by readers of his works. The way a language sounds often serves as a sort of shorthand for the moral function of its speakers. In this essay, I will analyse these phonoaesthetic associations more closely and show that they are highly subjective and generally based on cultural, ethical, and linguistic differences.
Recommended Citation
Huber, Mareike
(2025)
"The Moral Function of Invented Languages in J.R.R Tolkien's Legendarium,"
Journal of Tolkien Research: Vol. 21:
Iss.
2, Article 5.
Available at:
https://scholar.valpo.edu/journaloftolkienresearch/vol21/iss2/5
Included in
English Language and Literature Commons, Language Interpretation and Translation Commons
