Reading LOTR

Grey_Wolf · 08-02-2003, 05:23 PM

When I read lotr I pronounce all names and places as if they where English. Does anyone else have difficulty in pronouncing them or are attempting to pronounce them just as Tolkien had in mind?

OK, this might seem a bit silly.
When you read lotr, do you read it out aloud or do read it in your mind, so to speak?

Lizra · 08-02-2003, 06:03 PM

I silently pronounce them in Lizran. An exercise in hilarity, I'm sure!

Lalaith · 08-03-2003, 03:44 PM

I do not pronounce them in mind. At least not the words I don't know how to pronounce. I just read over them.

Artanis · 08-04-2003, 03:58 AM

I always pronounce them (silently) the Norwegian way, which I think is very near how they're intended to be pronounced.

Oh, I'd love to hear the Lizran way!

Linaewen · 08-04-2003, 07:40 AM

Anything I read is pronounced in my head. Anything.
I think I pronounce things quite well, since I've read a lot about Elvish pronunciation. But occasionally, I do have to whack myself for pronouncing Feanor incorrectly repeatedly.

legolialis · 08-04-2003, 07:25 PM

I'd like to think that i pronounce them right, but then again how do you know?

***IronParrot*** · 08-04-2003, 10:57 PM

From the second time I read the book onwards, I did try to follow Tolkien's pronunciation guide, but only insofar as I remembered it. I didn't flip to it every time there was an uncertainty.

While reading it on paper, anyway, it only really has an effect on the rhyme and rhythm of the poetry. (For example, "isILdur's BANE")

Anglorfin · 08-05-2003, 12:11 AM

I read with Tolkien's pronunciations. When I first started I read it however I saw it as in my own dialect but after becoming significantly informed of the "correct" pronunciation that is how I read it on paper.

Occaisionally I will say a few words out loud to see how they sound with the right pronunciation. Sometimes though when carrying on casual conversation with other Tolkien readers it's hard to keep my native dialect out of Elvish words.

Elenna Alaniel · 08-23-2003, 06:14 PM

I pronounce it like tolkien but just becouse croatian has similar pronounciation.When I'm alone I read it quietly but sometimes when I'm whit mine cousin we read it loud so that one reads and another listens

Starr Polish · 08-24-2003, 12:23 PM

I always read silently, and I haven't read fiction out loud since I was in third grade and I was reading to the kindergarteners for class.

If I know the correct Tolkien pronounciation, I read it that way, but if I don't I try to figure it out as best I can. I usually don't let it trip up my reading either way though.

ArwenEvenstar · 08-24-2003, 12:28 PM

When I first read LotR i prononced it in Natalie language, but after reading Tolkien's little guide thing at the back of the Sil, I prononced everything (more or less) correctly.

Divine Sorceress · 08-25-2003, 09:09 PM

I just pronounce them the way I think they should be pronounced because I haven't had time to read the Sil yet. But I don't think I massacre the names too bad.

durin's bane · 08-25-2003, 09:37 PM

I pronounce this like how I think they're pronounced. I sort of say it in my head or I just skip the word.

ArwenEvenstar · 08-25-2003, 09:41 PM

If it's a super complex word, sometimes just looking at it and not reading works so you don't massacre it.

***Earniel*** · 08-27-2003, 05:13 AM

If the names are in English, then I pronounce them in English. But with Elvish names I tend to say them in Dutch. With names like Fëanor or Sméagol, I say the accents like I would in Dutch and I split the 'e' and 'a' in the two Dutch sounds.

Quote:

Oh, I'd love to hear the Lizran way!

Ditto! Is it hard to learn?

LutraMage · 09-01-2003, 02:59 PM

I read them in my mind, but when I first read the books I just ignored any names I didn't know; then, later, when I had reread the book for the umpteenth time it became embarassing talking to other Tolkien fans and not knowing how to pronouce them, so I began reading the names out loud to myself until I got them sorted out in my mind. Now I always read the names quietly like the rest of the book.

As for pronounciation, I try but I wouldn't like to be tested by Professor Tolkien - that would be a 'Fail' I'm sure!

nessa · 09-06-2003, 03:33 PM

I was like LutraMage when I first started reading LOR. I've always liked the books but when I was considerably younger I couldn't be bothered to try and fathom how the words sounded. It did not appear that important however I put my foot in it majorally when I made an error and pronounced Gil Galad as Jill, to the derision of my friends. After that I made an effort to use the appendices although I was never tempted to go beyond pronounciation. I'm not sure that I pronounce everything properly now and it's been over 30 years since I first read The Hobbit!

DraztiK · 09-07-2003, 07:41 AM

I just pronounce it the same way I pronounce Latin

theonering · 09-10-2003, 09:06 AM

i pronounce them as english, inside my head. but some times i very silently whisper it, preferably when i have the lotr film music on.

Silje · 09-10-2003, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Artanis
I always pronounce them (silently) the Norwegian way, which I think is very near how they're intended to be pronounced.

Me too. But when I read them aloud I tend to put the stress wrong.

08-02-2003, 05:23 PM	#1
Grey_Wolf Elf Lord Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mirkwood, well actually I live in North-west Scania, Sweden Posts: 9,481	Reading LOTR When I read lotr I pronounce all names and places as if they where English. Does anyone else have difficulty in pronouncing them or are attempting to pronounce them just as Tolkien had in mind? OK, this might seem a bit silly. When you read lotr, do you read it out aloud or do read it in your mind, so to speak?

08-02-2003, 06:03 PM	#2
Lizra Domesticated Swing Babe Join Date: May 2002 Location: Reality Posts: 5,340	I silently pronounce them in Lizran. An exercise in hilarity, I'm sure! __________________ Happy Atheist Go Democrats!

08-03-2003, 03:44 PM	#3
Lalaith The Elvish Temptress Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Vienna, Austria Posts: 3,055	I do not pronounce them in mind. At least not the words I don't know how to pronounce. I just read over them. __________________ What I am and what I would are as secret as maidenhead.

08-04-2003, 03:58 AM	#4
Artanis Greatest Elven woman of Aman Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Having way too much fun with Fëanor's 7 Posts: 4,285	I always pronounce them (silently) the Norwegian way, which I think is very near how they're intended to be pronounced. Oh, I'd love to hear the Lizran way! __________________ --Life is hard, and then we die. Last edited by Artanis : 08-04-2003 at 04:00 AM.

08-04-2003, 10:57 PM	#7
*IronParrot* Fowl Administrator Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Calgary or Edmonton, Canada Posts: 53,420	From the second time I read the book onwards, I did try to follow Tolkien's pronunciation guide, but only insofar as I remembered it. I didn't flip to it every time there was an uncertainty. While reading it on paper, anyway, it only really has an effect on the rhyme and rhythm of the poetry. (For example, "isILdur's BANE") __________________ All of IronParrot's posts are guaranteed to be 100% intelligent and/or sarcastic, comprising no genetically modified content and tested on no cute furry little animals unless the SPCA is looking elsewhere. If you observe a failure to uphold this warranty, please contact a forum administrator immediately to receive a full refund on your Entmoot registration. Blog: Nick's Café Canadien

08-04-2003, 07:40 AM	#5
Linaewen Fair Dinkum Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 2,319	Anything I read is pronounced in my head. Anything. I think I pronounce things quite well, since I've read a lot about Elvish pronunciation. But occasionally, I do have to whack myself for pronouncing Feanor incorrectly repeatedly.

08-04-2003, 07:25 PM	#6
legolialis Hobbit Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: michigan Posts: 22	I'd like to think that i pronounce them right, but then again how do you know?

08-05-2003, 12:11 AM	#8
Anglorfin Alasailon Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: college Posts: 861	I read with Tolkien's pronunciations. When I first started I read it however I saw it as in my own dialect but after becoming significantly informed of the "correct" pronunciation that is how I read it on paper. Occaisionally I will say a few words out loud to see how they sound with the right pronunciation. Sometimes though when carrying on casual conversation with other Tolkien readers it's hard to keep my native dialect out of Elvish words. __________________ "and then this hobbit was walking, and then this elf jumped out of a bush and totally flipped out on him while wailing on his guitar." "Anglorfin was tall and straight; his hair was of shining gold, his face fair and young and fearless and full of anger; his eyes were bright and keen, and his voice like music; on his brow sat wisdom, and in his hand was great skill."

08-23-2003, 06:14 PM	#9
Elenna Alaniel Hobbit Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Dorthonion Posts: 21	I pronounce it like tolkien but just becouse croatian has similar pronounciation.When I'm alone I read it quietly but sometimes when I'm whit mine cousin we read it loud so that one reads and another listens __________________ Even the smallest person can change the course of the future.

08-24-2003, 12:23 PM	#10
Starr Polish Elf Lord Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Slow down and I sail on the river, slow down and I walk to the hill Posts: 2,389	I always read silently, and I haven't read fiction out loud since I was in third grade and I was reading to the kindergarteners for class. If I know the correct Tolkien pronounciation, I read it that way, but if I don't I try to figure it out as best I can. I usually don't let it trip up my reading either way though. __________________ “The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, but wiser people so full of doubts.” –Bertrand Russell

08-24-2003, 12:28 PM	#11
ArwenEvenstar Elf Lord Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: and why do YOU want to know? Posts: 685	When I first read LotR i prononced it in Natalie language, but after reading Tolkien's little guide thing at the back of the Sil, I prononced everything (more or less) correctly. __________________ The only thing active about me is my imagination!

08-25-2003, 09:09 PM	#12
Divine Sorceress Sapling Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Middle of Nowhere, Ontario Posts: 4	I just pronounce them the way I think they should be pronounced because I haven't had time to read the Sil yet. But I don't think I massacre the names too bad.

08-25-2003, 09:37 PM	#13
durin's bane Lady of Westernesse Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Canada (Help! Our parliament building is melting!) Posts: 761	I pronounce this like how I think they're pronounced. I sort of say it in my head or I just skip the word. __________________ Yada, yada, yada

08-25-2003, 09:41 PM	#14
ArwenEvenstar Elf Lord Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: and why do YOU want to know? Posts: 685	If it's a super complex word, sometimes just looking at it and not reading works so you don't massacre it. __________________ The only thing active about me is my imagination!

09-01-2003, 02:59 PM	#16
LutraMage Elven Warrior Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Tolkien's England where the tale grew in the telling... Posts: 330	I read them in my mind, but when I first read the books I just ignored any names I didn't know; then, later, when I had reread the book for the umpteenth time it became embarassing talking to other Tolkien fans and not knowing how to pronouce them, so I began reading the names out loud to myself until I got them sorted out in my mind. Now I always read the names quietly like the rest of the book. As for pronounciation, I try but I wouldn't like to be tested by Professor Tolkien - that would be a 'Fail' I'm sure!

09-06-2003, 03:33 PM	#17
nessa Enting Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: In the land of the setting sun. Posts: 58	I was like LutraMage when I first started reading LOR. I've always liked the books but when I was considerably younger I couldn't be bothered to try and fathom how the words sounded. It did not appear that important however I put my foot in it majorally when I made an error and pronounced Gil Galad as Jill, to the derision of my friends. After that I made an effort to use the appendices although I was never tempted to go beyond pronounciation. I'm not sure that I pronounce everything properly now and it's been over 30 years since I first read The Hobbit! __________________ "In dancing she delights, and she dances in Valimar on lawns of never-fading green."

09-07-2003, 07:41 AM	#18
DraztiK Enting Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Mol, Belgium Posts: 94	I just pronounce it the same way I pronounce Latin __________________ The name's DraztiK, but those whose name isn't totally blasted into Oblivion yet may call me DraZ... * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Our Armies in England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales Our Brothers in Belgium, Holland and France will not fail. Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, back to the Glory of Germany! ~Manowar - Blood of the Kings~

09-10-2003, 09:06 AM	#19
theonering Hobbit Join Date: May 2003 Location: in my bedroom Posts: 24	i pronounce them as english, inside my head. but some times i very silently whisper it, preferably when i have the lotr film music on. __________________ Go here to help me.

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