Linguistic Techniques Used in Character Development in the Works of J. R. R. Tolkien (Volumes I-III)
Abstract
J. R. R. Tolkien's "linguistic aesthetic" as displayed in his invented languages, his use of historical languages, and his patterning of introductory verb and adverbial modifiers for dialog, is presented to evidence Tolkien's capacity for character development in the tradition of the Fairy Tale. Chapter I discusses the controversy concerning Tolkien's apparent inability to depict character. Chapter II summarizes Tolkien's statements in correspondence and interviews regarding his "linguistic aesthetic" and how that aesthetic motivated his inventions, both linguistic and narrative. Chapters III through VIII comprise a descriptive analysis of the invented languages of Middle-earth including orthography, phonology, morphology, and syntax. Chapters IX and X discuss the use of real historical languages in the fantasies and the extraordinary care taken by Tolkien in choosing appropriate verbs and adverbial modifiers to introduce the dialog of the characters. Particular attention is given to statistical analyses of "unmarked" verbs and adverbial modifiers. The Appendices contain complete Glossaries of the Invented and Real Language elements together with computer-derived morphological elements. Other Appendices contain all of the verbs and adverbial modifiers together with the "Speaker", Speaker Race", "Responder/Addressee", "Responder/Addressee Race", and the source for each utterance by volume and page number for: "Smith of Wooton Major", "Farmer Giles of Ham", "Leaf by Niggle", The Hobbit, The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, The Return of the King, The Silmarillion, and Unfinished Tales.
Degree
Ph.D.
Subject Area
British and Irish literature|Linguistics|Modern language
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