Maedhros
10-08-2002, 07:39 AM
Is the change in the Quenya pre- Exile from Þ to s, an indicative of things to come in the future for the Noldor?
From The Peoples of Middle-Earth: Shibboleth of Fëanor:
The change was a general one, based primarily on phonetic 'taste' and theory, but it had not yet become universal. It was attacked by the loremasters, who pointed out that the damage this merging would do in confusing stems and their derivate, that had been distinct in sound and sense had not yet been sufficiently considered. The chief of the linguistic loremasters at that time was Fëanor. He insisted that Þ was the true pronunciation for all who cared for or fully understood their language
Interesting to note that something so simple can lead to a great division in the people.
Had peace been maintained there can be no doubt that the advice of Fëanor, with which all the other loremasters privately or openly agreed, would have prevailed. But an opinion in which he was certainly right was rejected because of the follies and evil deeds into which he was later led. He made it a personal matter: he and his sons adhered to Þ, and they demanded that all those who were sincere in their support should do the same. Therefore those who resented his arrogance, and still more those whose support later turned to hatred, rejected his shibboleth.
They rejected the view of Fëanor, even thought he was correct in it. Was this the first sign to the Valar that a Rebellion was imminent to the Noldor?
Che pensi tu?
From The Peoples of Middle-Earth: Shibboleth of Fëanor:
The change was a general one, based primarily on phonetic 'taste' and theory, but it had not yet become universal. It was attacked by the loremasters, who pointed out that the damage this merging would do in confusing stems and their derivate, that had been distinct in sound and sense had not yet been sufficiently considered. The chief of the linguistic loremasters at that time was Fëanor. He insisted that Þ was the true pronunciation for all who cared for or fully understood their language
Interesting to note that something so simple can lead to a great division in the people.
Had peace been maintained there can be no doubt that the advice of Fëanor, with which all the other loremasters privately or openly agreed, would have prevailed. But an opinion in which he was certainly right was rejected because of the follies and evil deeds into which he was later led. He made it a personal matter: he and his sons adhered to Þ, and they demanded that all those who were sincere in their support should do the same. Therefore those who resented his arrogance, and still more those whose support later turned to hatred, rejected his shibboleth.
They rejected the view of Fëanor, even thought he was correct in it. Was this the first sign to the Valar that a Rebellion was imminent to the Noldor?
Che pensi tu?