The Language of names - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Falagar · 09-11-2004, 10:57 AM

Well, Tolkien used Old English as a stand-in for 'real' Rohirric in the books, and we have very few genuine Rohirric-words.

Regarding Nellas; I would think it's Doriathrin, a diaect of Sindarin spoken in (you guessed it) Doriath. The last part, -las, is probably the same as the -las in Legolas meaning leaf. (Legolas being a 'Silvanized' form of Sindarin Laegolas, 'green-leaf'.) The first part may come from neldor, "beech". So perhaps the name means 'beech-leaf'. Or perhaps not.

09-11-2004, 10:57 AM	#7
Falagar Haunting Spirit Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Norway Posts: 69	Well, Tolkien used Old English as a stand-in for 'real' Rohirric in the books, and we have very few genuine Rohirric-words. Regarding Nellas; I would think it's Doriathrin, a diaect of Sindarin spoken in (you guessed it) Doriath. The last part, -las, is probably the same as the -las in Legolas meaning leaf. (Legolas being a 'Silvanized' form of Sindarin Laegolas, 'green-leaf'.) The first part may come from neldor, "beech". So perhaps the name means 'beech-leaf'. Or perhaps not. __________________ Auta i lomë! Aurë entuluva! "Take no heed! We speak as is right, and as King Finwë himself did before he was led astray. We are his heirs by right and the elder house. Let them sá-sí, if they can speak no better." -Son of the Therindë Last edited by Falagar; 09-11-2004 at 11:03 AM.

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