Elvish, the languages created by J.R.R. Tolkien for his fictional Middle-earth, have captivated fans worldwide. While most enthusiasts are familiar with Sindarin and Quenya, Dragonish, an Elvish dialect used by dragons, remains more enigmatic. Let's delve into this fascinating language, exploring its origins, unique features, and how it's used within Tolkien's mythology.
Firstly, it's essential to note that Dragonish isn't explicitly mentioned in Tolkien's works. However, it's implied that dragons communicate in their unique language, providing an opportunity for linguists and Tolkien enthusiasts to speculate and create.
Origins of Dragonish
The origins of Dragonish can be traced back to the Voynich Manuscript, a mysterious 15th-century illustrated codex written in an unknown language. Tolkien enthusiast, Marc Okrand, was inspired by this manuscript to create a dragon language for a documentary on prehistoric monsters. This language later evolved into Dragonish as we know it today.
In the context of Tolkien's Middle-earth, Dragonish likely stems from some ancient, pre-Noldorin Elvish root. It's plausible that dragons, first appearing in Arda during the First Age, developed their language from these roots, adapting it to their unique needs and perspectives.
Phonology and Orthography
Dragonish has a complex phonology, featuring sounds not found in other Elvish languages. For instance, it uses ejectives, affricates, and a wider range of vowels. Its orthography, or writing system, is inspired by Cuneiform and other ancient writing systems, with symbols and glyphs representing syllables rather than individual sounds.
Here's a brief example of Dragonish script and its pronunciation: ⋅
