A linguistic quandary
ETA 08 Feb '12 - So today I've been trying to consolidate tags, as I noticed I had multiple tags referring to the same phenomenon...in the consolidation process, this popped up. I didn't realize I had this journal as early as May of last year?! And what a difference time and exposure make...The below seems very easily resolved now. *prods easly!Huin* Pst, the word you're looking for is Moringotto...
As interesting as I find the elven tongues, I am no expert. It wasn't until recently that I discovered the vast majority of character names in the Silmarillion are Sindarin, and this proves a source of continual annoyance in my endeavors. I began from the beginning, by which I mean before the Ainulindalë, and I wanted to retain Quenya names for all characters, Ainu or Noldo, who reside in Valinor. It seemed more authentic to me. Discovering that most of the names are Sindarin, I nobly undertook to translate them, retaining as much meaning and sound as I could. I thought it was going fairly well: Ancalagon = Ancanion, etc. Then I noticed that "Morgoth" is itself Sindarin. How can one alter such an iconic title without appearing arrogant? Finally, I give up and resign myself to the linguistic impurity of it all. It burns.
As interesting as I find the elven tongues, I am no expert. It wasn't until recently that I discovered the vast majority of character names in the Silmarillion are Sindarin, and this proves a source of continual annoyance in my endeavors. I began from the beginning, by which I mean before the Ainulindalë, and I wanted to retain Quenya names for all characters, Ainu or Noldo, who reside in Valinor. It seemed more authentic to me. Discovering that most of the names are Sindarin, I nobly undertook to translate them, retaining as much meaning and sound as I could. I thought it was going fairly well: Ancalagon = Ancanion, etc. Then I noticed that "Morgoth" is itself Sindarin. How can one alter such an iconic title without appearing arrogant? Finally, I give up and resign myself to the linguistic impurity of it all. It burns.