I hope to be able to jump back into this very intricate and interesting, although at times over my head conversation...
First, I want to thank
Bethberry for bringing up the comparative style of Wilfred Owen's "Dulce et Decorum Est." That, more sharply than just about anything, illustrated the purposeful use of archaic language to get a (rather ironic!) point across. And it also resonates in a way (although I'm too stuffed in the head and dim at the moment to recognize it and explicate it) with the whole World War One theme as covered in
davem's thread on the new Tolkien bio, which I would dearly love to read, having an interest in the Great War myself!
But, back to the point I wished to add: regarding your question as posed earlier,
Bethberry as to the
purpose of Tolkien's stylistic irregularities--I think anyone who wishes more insight on this point might do well to go over the Appendix F at the end of ROTK (esp. part II-On Translation), wherein Tolkien explains not only the differences and evolutions of language, but also adds in an explanation of the Englishing of certain terms. He also says:
Quote:
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It will be noticed that Hobbits, such as Frodo, and other persons such as Gandalf and Aragorn, do not always use the same style. This is intentional. The more learned and able among the Hobbits had some knowledge of 'book-language', as it was termed in the Shire; and they were quick to note and adopt the style of those whom they met. It was in any case natural for well-traveled folk to speak more or less after the manner of those among whom they found themselves, especially in the case of men who, like Aragorn, were often at pains to conceal their origin and their business.
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There is much more after that, even down to explaining Pippin's use of the familiar forms of address to everyone, even to the Lord Denethor, to explain why those in Minas Tirith may have mistaken him for a Prince of Halflings. It is obvious that Tolkien DID give a great deal of thought to his use of different styles of speech and to illustrating the differing customs and understandings or misunderstandings of different cultures within Middle Earth. I thought the quote appropriate to this discussion, so I figured I'd throw it out there. It seems to be a direct addressing of his choice to use differing styles and also to change the tone as the travels of the Hobbits progressed. What are your thoughts?
Cheers,
Lyta