>Frequently Asked Questions


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We receive a number of queries from people who visit this site. Here are some
typical questions, with answers as sent. This collection is intended to grow as 
we collate our collection of questions and answers.

1.Why is JRR Tolkien so popular?

"Difficult question. We are really talking about Lord of the Rings (and The
Hobbit) here. We have three awards given to LotR in the UK as best book ever
this year, by bookshops and book clubs. He's a good writer, people find they can
take him seriously even though he writes about dwarves and elves, he has a lot
of background to what he writes, people find that the story of Lord of the Rings
has echoes of all sorts of dilemmas that belong to the present day as well as
the world of the imagination. Borrow a copy, read it and see what you think.
It's a big question. You have to start somewhere. My granny thought it was
awful, but then she couldn't stand hobbits.

One of my colleagues says:
'Tolkien's popularity: If I knew that I'd be a successful publisher!'"

2."How can I learn Elvish" or "Tell me more about Tolkien's linguistics?"

"Here's my standard reply on Tolkien's languages, the advice I take myself:

If you are interested in Tolkien's languages, apart from all the references
scattered through his own books, particularly the History of Middle-earth
series, you may be interested in a journal called Parma Eldalamberon (Book of
the Elvish Tongues, roughly) published by a group of Americans. You can find out
about this by writing to Christopher Gilson, 500 North Civic Drive, Suite C,
Walnut Creek, CA 94596, USA. This is the heavy stuff: very linguistic, mostly
about Elvish. The good old "basic work" on Tolkien's languages was An
Introduction To Elvish by Jim Allan. This is now very old, but it is still a
good introduction, and has formed the basis for other studies. You can buy this 
from the Sales Page on the TS web site."



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This page c copyright The Tolkien Society, 1998. ___Last updated March 12th
1998.

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Registered Charity Number 273809.