There is one problem I have with Tolkien- The problem is- he is an amazing linguist and has created many fictional languages- Quenya and Sindarin for the Elves, Adunaic for the Numenoreans, The Black Speech of Mordor, for Sauron and his minions, and Khuzdul for the Dwarves. That's something I admire about him, but when writing Tolkien fanfiction, that is a serious pain. He's created numerous scripts, and worse of all, characters like Estela's family, who were born with Quenya names- that's the language they used in the Undying Lands- are often given Sindarin names when they arrive upon Middle-Earth. The Sindar were the Telerin elves that decided to stay behind in Middle-Earth instead of going to the Undying Lands when their king disappeared. In the Silmarillion, they are only ever reffered to by their Sindarin names.
The Elves in Valinor are given two names. Soon after they are born a naming ceremony- like a christening- called an essecarme is given out and the newborn is presented- with their names.
The name their father gave them, and the name their mother gave them. To Make things complicated for Tolkien readers, sometimes, they can be given an "epesse" or nickname. For example, Estela's father is given the name of Nelyafinwe by his father, meaning "The Third Finwe" as he is the eldest offspring, of the eldest offspring of Finwe. Yet the name his mother gave him is Maitimo, which means "The well-shaped One" because he was famously good-looking, even for an elf. But his relatives and close friends had given him the "epesse" Russandol, which meant "Copper-top" in Quenya, as he had red hair. In addition to this he is called " Feanorion" as he is the son of Feanor- or Feanaro. And to top it off, when he arrives in Middle-Earth the Sindar named him "Maedhros the Tall", Maedhros being a Sindarin portmanteau of his mother-name Maitimo and his epesse Russandol.
It's frustrating- and confusing- especially when you're writing fanfiction, and although I can understand that some readers will have difficulty trying to pronounce the Quenya names, it is bewildering as to why these new names must be given- although it may be because these characters had achieved great renown among the great Sindarin Loremasters. Flattering, but annoying and bemusing. Even Estela feels that way whenever one of her family members is referred to by their Sindarin name. By the way, she is called "Nelyafinwiel" because she is the daughter of Nelyafinwe- Maedhros.
To make things easier for readers to keep up, I'll write a list of characters, their relationaship to others and their Quenya and Sindarin names as well. What a headache!
Finwe- High king of the Noldor elves
Miriel Serinde- His first wife and mother to Feanor
Indis "The Fair" - His second wife -a Vanya elf and mother to their four children
Feanor's family:
Curufinwe Feanaro- Feanor. his eldest son by Miriel, maker of the Silmarils, the Palantiri, and his successor as High King of the Noldor- only on Middle-Earth
Nerdanel- Feanor's wife, a sculptress and mother to seven sons. Daughter to the Smith Mahtan.
Nelyafinwe Maitimo a.k.a Russandol- Maedhros "The Tall" Feanor's eldest son and successor, a great loremaster and warrior, Estela's father.
Canafinwe Macalaure- Maglor "The Mighty Singer" Famous singer and musician, second son of Feanor, closely associated with Maedhros, his eldest brother.
Turkafinwe Tyelcormo- Celegorm "The Fair" Feanor's third- and only golden-haired son- a great hunter who could speak the language of animals. Closely associated with Curufin- his fifth brother.
Morifinwe Carnistir- Caranthir- "The Dark One", harshest tempered, and darkest in colouring of all Feanor's seven sons, loyal and a fierce warrior. Considered to have the power of Fear over his enemies.
Curufinwe Atarinke- Curufin "The Crafty". Fifth son of Feanor and had inherited his father's skill in the forge. Father of Celembrimor, Maker of the Rings of Power. He resembled his father the most
Nityafinwe and Telufinwe a.k.a Ambarussa- Amrod and Amras- the twins who inherited their mother's red hair. They were the youngest of Feanor's sons and the first to die.
Eleniear- Estela's mother, Maedhros' wife, grand-daughter of Olwe, King of the Telerin Elves, and first cousin of Galadriel (her father was Galadriel's mother's brother).
Eruvande Estela- youngest grandchild of Feanor, main protagonist and one of the last- and youngest- surviving members of the House of Finwe and the Noldor back in Middle-Earth, apart from Galadriel, during the War of the Ring.
Telperinquar- Celembrimbor- her cousin, Curufin's son and maker of the Rings of Power.
Artanaro- Gil-Galad, High King of the Noldor in Middle-Earth, died in the Battle of the Last Alliance, shortly before Isildur took the ring. One of Estela's two love interests and one-time fiance.
Nolofinwe- Fingolfin, Feanor's Half-brother by Indis, and one-time High King before his death by Morgoth.
Findekano- Fingon "The Valiant" His eldest son and Maedhros' closest cousin.
Turukano- Turgon- Fingolfin's second son and king of Gondolin
Itarille- his daughter, by his Vanyarin wife Elenwe who died during the crossing of the Helcaraxe.
Irisse- Aredhel, Fingolfin's daughter wife of the Avar Eol and mother to Maeglin
Olorin- Gandalf, a Maia or angel, one of the Five Wizards or Istari.
Arafinwe- Finarfin- Feanor's half-brother, youngest child of Indis, and father of Galadriel.
Artanis Nerwen- Galadriel, Lady of Lothlorien, cousin to both Estela's parents on either side.
The rest is unimportant, or are only ever called by one name- Thank God!
Left- first article of the declaration of Human Rights- written in English, but using Tengwar, the elven script. Right: Cirth, the Dwarve's alphabet.
Wow, you really have reserched this and its clear to see its swomething you have a passion about i cant wait to read the finished product
ReplyDelete