New Member and a quick question.

[zalesnik]

I am a new member. I have seen the first two “Lord of the Rings” movies and was so inspired that I have started reading “The Hobbit” (and I hate to read).

My one and only question is, what is the correct pronunciation of “Tolkien”? Is it “Tol-keen” or “Tol-kine” or am I wrong on both counts?

[Niniel]

Welcome! I think I read somewhere Tolkien himself pronounced his name as Tol-keen, so that must be the correct pronounciation.

[Thorin]

My one and only question is, what is the correct pronunciation of “Tolkien”? Is it “Tol-keen” or “Tol-kine” or am I wrong on both counts?Yes, it is Tol-keen. Other pronounciations that you may want to consider as you read both The Hobbit and (hopefully) Lord of the Rings:

1) The 'C' s are hard not soft (i.e. Celeborn sounds like Keleborn, and Cirdan is Keer-dan)

2) 'au' is an 'ow' sound as in the pig 'sow' (so Sauron is not 'sar-on' but 'sow-ron)

3) 'e's at the beginning of words or with the 'ë' sound like a cross between an 'ay' and an 'eh' (Eowyn is 'Ay-o-win' and Finwë is (Fin-way).

If you do pick up LoTR and it has the appendix, they give you a glossary of the sounds of the languages of Middle Earth. Very handy to have as you read through the adventure.

Welcome to the forum!

[Firawyn]

Wow....what a pro. I didn't know any of that! :o

Oh well...Welcome to the forum!!!!!