I always thought the elves were upset because the dark tongue was being spoken in their home. The people of Middle Earth seem to place great importance on what is spoken where and when. They refuse to talk about evil things at night (LotR:FotR The Shadow of the Past). Another example of this preoccupation with the power speech is more closely related to the subject. Gandalf says in the same chapter that he "will not utter here "(in the shire)" speech of Mordor. I think in their minds it spoils a land and brings evil over it to speak words of such an evil origin in a land as yet untouched by evil. However I might be wrong. Feel free to correct me.
[ June 30, 2003: Message edited by: BobTheGrey ]
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