Pleased to meet you, Frodo... Reppuli?

[Thinlómien]

So what about...

Gollum - Klonkku
or
Middle-Earth - Keski-Maa
or
Orc - örkki ...?

Some others...
Grima Wormtongue - Grima Kärmekieli
(Käärme is "snake" in Finnish, so no worms here, but I think Kärmekieli sounds much better than Matokieli, which would be the literal translation of Wormtongue.)

Leaflock - Lehvähapsi
("Lehvä" is an old-fashioned word that means leaf and "hapsi" does not actually translate as lock, rather as a tuft of thin hair.)
Skinbark - Karppunahka
("Nahka" means skin and "karppu"... well it doesn't mean anything per se (as far as I know), but it conveys the feel/air of something old and wrinkled/creased... It's also notably close to "kaarna" which means bark.)

Ent - entti
Entwife - entvaimo
Enting - enttinen
Huorn - huorni

Goldberry - Kultamarja
Tom, Bert & William - Tom, Bertti & Viljami
(What is curious here is that William the Troll shares the first name with ... Barliman Butterbur! I think this is because Viljami would be the Finnish version of William and Viljami just rhymes prefectly with Voivalvatti (Butterbur) and is extraordinary and old-ish enough to replace Barliman.)

Rosie Cotton - Ruusa Tölli
Ted Sandyman - Ted Hiesuli
Mr. Underhill - Herra Alismäki

Mount Doom - Tuomiovuori
Ettenmoors - Jättijängät
Westfold - Länsimantu
Icebay of Forochel - Forochelin jäälahti
Iron Mountains - Rautavuoret
Blue Mountains - Sinivuoret
Helm's Deep - Helmin syvänne
Hornburg - Ämyrilinna
Dunharrow - Dunharg
(This is a weird case, since "dunharg" or even part of it doesn't mean anything in Finnish , it is a very non-Finnish word actually. I guess the name has been changed - unlike all other Rohirric names - just to prevent it from sounding too modern English.)

The Finnish translation was made by Kersti Juva. The translation is widely appreciated in Finland and in my opinion, it's a masterpiece. It flows naturally and the translator has been creative with the names. This is a remarkable achievement, especially as this was one of the first, if not the first, novel translations she made. Nowadays she's quite old and one of the most respected translators in Finland.


Legate and Volo - those are very interesting, though I'm quite confident my mental images of how those words are pronounced are fatally wrong.

I can very easily see Shelob as Odula (what a creepy name, though sounds like some latin term for some biological thing ), Weathertop as Větrov and Leaflock as Listovlas. When Rivendell (which is Rivendell in Finnish, by the way) is called Roklinka it feels like emphasising the merry Elves in The Hobbit and the cliffs/rocks that shield the valley. Those impressions, I think, are only formed on the sound of the word. Calling Treebeard Stromovous is another matter... it doesn't quite fit my mental image... "stromovous" sounds like some big and ugly carnivorous thing...

[Macalaure]

Great thread, Lommy!


Let me add my share of German names (far from complete, just the ones I found interesting):


The Fellowship

Frodo Baggins (Underhill) ~ Frodo Beutlin (Unterberg) (Beutel=bag. Just like in English, one would expect there to be a 'g' after the 'n', which is also omitted in the German translation)
Samwise Gamgee ~ Samweis Gamdschie
Meriadoc (Merry) Brandybuck ~ Meriadoc (Merry) Brandybock
Peregrin (Pippin) Took ~ Peregrin (Pippin) Tuk
Gandalf
Aragorn (Strider) ~ Aragorn (Streicher) (Streicher doesn't mean much, but it reminds one of Landstreicher=vagabond, which I think is slightly disrespectful )
Legolas Greenleaf ~ Legolas Grünblatt
Gimli son of Glóin ~ Gimli Glóinssohn (not sure why they changed this, it makes it sound Scandinavian)
Boromir


Other people

Barliman Butterbur ~ Gerstenmann Butterblüm
Barrow-wight ~ Grabwicht
Bill Ferny ~ Lutz Farnrich (the pony Bill is also called Lutz)
Goldberry ~ Goldbeere
Gríma Wormtongue ~ Gríma Schlangenzunge (like in Finnish, Gríma has the tongue of a snake over here)
Grishnákh ~ Grischnách
Lobelia Sackville-Baggins ~ Lobelia Sackheim-Beutlin
Old Man Willow ~ Alter Weidenmann
Quickbeam ~ Flinkbaum
Rose Cotton ~ Rosie Kattun
Shadowfax ~ Schattenfell
Sharkey ~ Scharker
Shelob ~ Kankra (a Kanker is a sort of spider and the 'ra' makes it sound feminine. I think this is not a good translation of the name. The sounds of the two are just too different)
Ted Sandyman ~ Timm Sandigmann
Thórin Oakenshield ~ Thórin Eichenschild
Treebeard ~ Baumbart
Witch King ~ Hexenkönig


Geographic names

Bag End ~ Beutelsend
Bagshot Row ~ Beutelhaldenweg
Barrow-downs ~ Hügelgräberhöhen
Buckland ~ Bockland
Dead Marshes ~ Totensümpfe
Dunharrow ~ Dunharg
Grey Havens ~ Graue Anfurten
Helm's Deep ~ Helms Klamm
Hobbiton ~ Hobbingen
Lonely Mountain ~ Einsamer Berg
Middle-earth ~ Mittelerde
Mirkwood ~ Düsterwald
Misty Mountains ~ Nebelgebirge
Mount Doom ~ Schicksalsberg
Rivendell ~ Bruchtal
Shire ~ Auenland
Weathertop ~ Wetterspitze
Westernesse ~ Westernis


Various geographic names

Ashen Mountains ~ Aschengebirge
Brandy Hall ~ Brandyschloss (which makes it Brandy Castle)
Brandywine ~ Brandywein
Brown Lands ~ Braune Lande
Bucklebury ~ Bockenburg
Bywater ~ Wasserau
Crickhollow ~ Krickloch
Dale ~ Thal
Deadmen's Dike ~ Totendeich
Dimrill Dale ~ Schattenbachtal
Entwash ~ Entwasser
Ettenmoors ~ Ettenöden
Gap of Rohan ~ Pforte von Rohan
Gladden Fields ~ Schwertelfelder
Glittering Caves ~ Glitzernde Grotten
Hollin ~ Hulsten
Isenmouthe ~ Isenmaul
Lake Evendim ~ Abendrotsee
Loudwater ~ Lautwasser
Michel Delving ~ Michelbinge
Midgewater Marshes ~ Mückenwassermoore
Mirrormere ~ Spiegelsee
Old Forest ~ Alter Wald
Redhorn ~ Rothorn
Stonewain Valley ~ Steinkarrental
Wellinghall ~ Quellhall


Things that don't fit elsewhere

Dwarf ~ Zwerg
Easterling ~ Ostling
Elf ~ Elb (this is interesting, since the word "Elf" exists in German as well. As far as I know, Tolkien himself suggested this change, so that, at least in German, people wouldn't be reminded of fairy-tale Elves)
Fallohides ~ Fahlhäute
Harfoots ~ Harfüße
Neeker-breeker ~ Niiikerzriiiker (now, this one is just terrible )
Oliphaunt ~ Olifant
Ringwraith ~ Ringgeist
Southron ~ Südländer
Stoors ~ Starre
Wizard ~ Zauberer


All these names are from the second translation, which is said to be the worse one (but how could I have known back then?). Maybe there are differences to the old one.

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

Originally Posted by Volo

Бикорик/Bykoryk - Bullroarer (byk - bull)

I got that one It's pretty good. By the way, in Czech he is named Bučivoj ("bučet" means "to 'moo' " and "voj" is a "host", also often an ancient prefix or suffix for proto-Slavic names).

Originally Posted by Volo

Могильники/Mogylniki - Barrow-Downs (mogyla - tomb)

Exactly, Mohylové vrchy Do you know how are the Barrow-wights called?

Originally Posted by Volo

Грайливий Поні/Grailivij Poni - Prancing Pony (playful pony)

That is a nice name. I would like to visit Grailivij Poni. Sounds more like a hobbit inn, though.

Originally Posted by Volo

Барил Барбарис/Baril Barbaras - Barliman Butterbur

No, that one does not fit. Baril Barbaras is the name of Barliman's grand-uncle, who owned the "Pony" in times long ago, after the Fell Winter, who defended his inn and fought the wolves and goblins.

Originally Posted by Volo

About Shelob being Odula: Does "odula" mean something or is there some mythological spider-creature of a similar name as in Hobb's newest trilogy there is a spider-shaped god called Orandula.

That is probably just a coincidence. Odula is... well, it's very close to the word "odulá", which is a... hmm... feminine participle in past tense... or an adjective... meaning "swollen".

Originally Posted by Macalaure

Aragorn (Strider) ~ Aragorn (Streicher) (Streicher doesn't mean much, but it reminds one of Landstreicher=vagabond, which I think is slightly disrespectful)

Concerning Streicher, it indeed sounds to me like some sort of vagabond. However, that's good, because that shows the side of him as the Breelanders saw it.

However, sadly, I am not capable to make the German words fit to Middle-Earth - given by the geographical and cultural circumstances, I just know it's German, so any further attempts to imagine a "German Middle-Earth" as some different world are lost

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

The Fellowship's names in Finnish can't seem to merge with the hobbits' image in my mind, but I think it's caused by the fact that one is used to hear familiar sounds in the hobbit's names, considering the Shire "home". But...

Originally Posted by Thinlómien

Barliman Butterbur = Viljami Voivalvatti
Bill Ferny = Bil Imarre

But these fellas' names sound very fitting to me. And what you said about William the Troll's name being the same as Barliman's is interesting - they hardly have any character traits in common, but I could find some similarities on the feeling I get from them. And Bil Imarre sounds like a perfect person whom not to trust.

Old Man Willow = Vanha halavaukko

I just realized that this word is a good proof of the Elves' languages having some inspiration in Finnish. When I tried to say it aloud, the second word made me immediately think of "Valarauko".

Originally Posted by Thinlómien

The Lonely Mountain = Yksinäinen vuori
Leaflock - Lehvähapsi
Ettenmoors - Jättijängät
Iron Mountains - Rautavuoret
Blue Mountains - Sinivuoret

These are very good. Jättijängät makes the impression of something "with fangs and claws". It would take hard effort to persuade me to go there. I could live in Synkmetsä - that sounds very nice. While the sound of English "Mirkwood" emphasises the image of spiders in my mind, "Synkmetsä" is just full of ancient, big trees in the dark, some fern and several hidden creatures.
And the places I would certainly like to visit are Sumuvuoret and especially Hämypuron laakso. That's not just visiting Misty Mountains or Dimrill Dale, this is something more. I'm not sure if it is understandable, but let's say it like this: if I ever came there, these places would be, most probably, real. I have very clear image in my mind; of Hämypuron laakso with the stone of Durin and the crown of stars in the lake, and the cloudy heights of Sumuvuoret all around...

And calling a warg "hukka" is just too brutal. I won't be happy, during a walk in wilderness, if I were assailed by a pack of hukkas Whatever it is. But it conjures in my mind the image of something living in Australian bushes.

Originally Posted by Thinlómien

I can very easily see Shelob as Odula (what a creepy name, though sounds like some latin term for some biological thing ), Weathertop as Větrov and Leaflock as Listovlas.

It seems Leaflock is the most accepted in all translations (so far) - it's probably because of the "L" at the beginning.

Originally Posted by Thinlómien

When Rivendell (which is Rivendell in Finnish, by the way) is called Roklinka it feels like emphasising the merry Elves in The Hobbit and the cliffs/rocks that shield the valley. Those impressions, I think, are only formed on the sound of the word.

Well, actually your impression is quite good, or let's say, your imagination works well in this case, recalling the same images in your mind as for Czech people (or at least for those who invented the word). "Roklinka", literally, is diminutive (hence probably the tra-la-ley Elves) for "rokle", which is a valley with very sharp sides.

Originally Posted by Thinlómien

Calling Treebeard Stromovous is another matter... it doesn't quite fit my mental image... "stromovous" sounds like some big and ugly carnivorous thing...

Nice All right, let's make an agreement - we choose a neutral ground in Middle-Earth, far enough from the "civilised" lands (the best would be Dagorlad or some desert in Far East), and we'll make a reservation there for the most horrible monsters. For starters, we'll move all stromovouses and hukkas there...

[Nogrod]

Originally Posted by Thinlómien

Ent - entti
Entwife - entvaimo
Enting - enttinen
Huorn - huorni

These are just so Finnish! I mean they sound like things or creatures from the past of Finnish mythology...

The translations may look like just slight diversions from English but they actually sound very ancient Finnish at the same time. Maybe Tolkien was once again picking these from the Finnish phonemes?

~~*~~

Thanks Mac for the German translations! Even with my lousy-German knowledge - one course in the Uni about ten years ago - I do thikn I was able to appreciate some of the translations. I found especially nice the names like (from ones I understand what the German words actually mean) the following:

Old Man Willow ~ Alter Weidenmann
Shadowfax ~ Schattenfell
Thórin Oakenshield ~ Thórin Eichenschild
- These just sound nice to my ear. I don't know why...

Barrow-downs ~ Hügelgräberhöhen
- might look terrible but when pronounced is quite pleasant, awoking ideas of the Alps to me...

Hobbiton ~ Hobbingen
-ahh, that's just the cute way...

Misty Mountains ~ Nebelgebirge
Mount Doom ~ Schicksalsberg
- Sadly one might think Hitler could have resided in both of these places but they still sound quite grand...

Dwarf ~ Zwerg
- that's so short and pithy. The dwarwes have to be Zwergs when they are not "kääpiöitä"!

Fallohides ~ Fahlhäute
Ringwraith ~ Ringgeist
- Like from the operas of Wagner married with 19th century German idealism - and looking at the subjects they just could be that...

[Thinlómien]

Those German things are (sorry to say ) awfully funny-sounding. In my opinion the language fits the hobbits' names very well (though now I'm imagining hobbits eating sausage day and night ) as it does the old human-ish names, but on the other hand the ones that have something to do with Elves don't sound very fitting. And the word for Barrow-downs is just terrible...


Adding some Finnish ones...
Thorin Oakenshield - Thorin Tammikilpi
Lobelia Sackville-Baggins - Lobelia Säkinheimo-Reppuli
Sharkey - Sarkku (I like this translation - it definitely resembles the orcish(?) word sharkû)
Witch-King - Noitakuningas (this word always sends a chill down my spine, don't know why)
Legolas Greenleaf - Legolas Viherlehti
Bullroarer - Härkäräikkä

Brown Lands - Ruskeat maat
Bywater - Virranvarsi
Deadmen's Dike (love that name in English, by the way) - Kuolleenmiehen kaivanto
Grey Havens - Harmaat Satamat
Michel Delving - Järin Möyremä
Mirrormere - Kuvastaja
Paths of the Dead - Kuolleiden kulkutiet
Prancing Pony - Pomppiva Poni (="bouncing pony")
Wellinghall - Lähteensali

Dwarf - kääpiö (like Nogrod said)
Easterling - itäläinen
Elf - haltia
Halfling - puolituinen
Oliphaunt - olifantti
Petty Dwarf - vähäkääpiö (="minor dwarf")
Ringwraith - sormusaave (sormus = ring, aave = ghost, wraith)
Southron - eteläinen
Wizard - velho
Wose - metsäläinen (= "woodling"/"forestling")

Originally Posted by Legate

And calling a warg "hukka" is just too brutal.

Hukka is almost a pet name for a wolf. And it also means loss or waste or something like that.

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

Bert, Tom, William - Berta, Tom, Vilda
Proudfoot - Hrdonožka ("Pytlíci a Bulíci... Bralové a Brandorádi, Ponravové a Cvalíkové a Pelíškové a Troubilové a Bulvové a Kšandičkové, Jezevci a Hrdonožky." - "HrdoNOŽKOVÉ!")
Sackville-Baggins - Pytlík ze Sáčkova
Sharkey - Šarkan (this one's etymology is interesting, since "šarkan" is a Slovak word for [winged] "dragon")
Ted Sandyman - Ted Pískař
Thorin Oakenshield - Thorin Pavéza
Witch King - Černokněžný král (quite prosaic)

Ashen Mountains - Popelavé hory
Bagshot Row - Pytlová ulice
Blue Mountains - Modré hory
Brandy Hall - Brandov
Brown Lands - Hnědé země
Bucklebury - Rádohraby
Bywater - Povodí
Crickhollow - Studánky
Deadmen's Dike - Val mrtvých
Dunharrow - Šerá brázda
Entwash - Entva
Gap of Rohan - Rohanská Brána
Gladden Fields - Kosatcová pole
Glittering Caves - Třpytivé jeskyně
Grey Havens - Šedé přístavy (cf. the similarity with the name for Dunharrow; "Šedé" is "grey" (pl.), while "šerá" (sg., fem.) is derived from the word "šero", meaning "dusk")
Greyflood - Šerava (cf. Grey Havens vs. Dunharrow)
Hoarwell - Mšená
Hollin - Cesmínie
Iron Hills - Železné hory
Isen - Želíz
Isengard - Železný pas
Isenmouthe - Brány Želíze
Lake Evendim - Soumračné jezero
Loudwater - Bouřná
Michel Delving - Velká kopanina
Middle-earth - Středozem
Mirrormere - Zrcadlové jezero
Mount Doom - Hora osudu
Paths of the Dead - Stezky mrtvých
Prancing Pony - Skákavý poník (more like "jumpy pony")
Stonewain Valley - Údolí kamenných vozů
Wellinghall - Studniční sál
Westernesse - Západní říše

Dwarf - trpaslík
Easterling - Východňan
Fallohides - Plavíni
Harfoots - Chluponohové
Halfling - půlčík
Oliphaunt - Olifant
Orc (or Goblin) - skřet
Petty-Dwarves - drobní trpaslíci
Ringwraith - Prstenový přízrak
Southron - Jižan
Stoors - Statové
Uruk-hai - Skurut-hai (cf. the word for "orc")
Wizard - čaroděj

Lord of the Rings - Pán prstenů

If anyone is interested at looking at some M-E maps in Czech, I have some at our D&D group's page http://fellowship.ic.cz (with the dictionary provided here, you should be able to orientate in it with no problem )

Originally Posted by Lommy

Hukka is almost a pet name for a wolf. And it also means loss or waste or something like that.

And how do you say "wolf" in Finnish?

Anyway, it's a beautiful language. "Järin Möyremä". Or "Kuvastaja". "Lähteensali". (well that's not a proper smiley anyway)

[Thinlómien]

Originally Posted by Legate of Amon Lanc

Anyway, it's a beautiful language. "Järin Möyremä". Or "Kuvastaja". "Lähteensali". (well that's not a proper smiley anyway)

Funny you should say that, because "Järin Möyremä" is probably one of the ugliest names I can think of. But I do like the sound of Finnish, mostly.

Originally Posted by Legate

And how do you say "wolf" in Finnish?

Susi. So a wolf can be called "susihukka" and that's almost a pet name. Though we have far more names for a bear...

And as a side note, Vilda and Berta sound very feminine to me, especially Berta. Prbably because Bertta is a Finnish girl's name.

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

Originally Posted by Thinlómien

Susi. So a wolf can be called "susihukka" and that's almost a pet name. Though we have far more names for a bear...

Uh, of course - I always wanted to ask you what your "fenris-susi" is. Now it's clear. However, "susi" to me sounds like some sort of sweet candy, while "hukka" sounds indeed dangerous. I can't help it

Originally Posted by Thinlómien

And as a side note, Vilda and Berta sound very feminine to me, especially Berta. Prbably because Bertta is a Finnish girl's name.

Actually, Berta is a woman's name also in Czech (coming from German, probably), though it's not much common. Not sure why the translator chose this version - "Bert" is supposed to exist as well, but according to name statistic database about 10 people in the whole country possess it. Vilda, though, is normal homy version of "Vilém" (William). Short versions of the names in Czech, even male, often have -a as suffix.

And concerning Järin Möyremä, to me it sounds quite nice and appropriate for Michel Delving. But it could also be a Ranger's name.

[Thinlómien]

Originally Posted by Legate

However, "susi" to me sounds like some sort of sweet candy, while "hukka" sounds indeed dangerous. I can't help it

Haha. Actually when I wrote that I realised that "susi" doesn't sound wolvish at all. But if you ask me, it doesn't sound like candy either.

Actually, Berta is a woman's name also in Czech (coming from German, probably), though it's not much common.

I assume the troll was still male ...? Weird.

And concerning Järin Möyremä, to me it sounds quite nice and appropriate for Michel Delving. But it could also be a Ranger's name.

A ranger?! No way! You should know how it's pronounced but I don't even try to explain... but I assure you it doesn't sound noble at all. To me it sounds like a stubborn badger, but that's probably because "mäyrä" means badger and "jääräpäinen" means stubborn...

[Eönwë]

Originally Posted by Thinlómien

barrow-wight = haudanhaamu

The first thing that came into my head was Haudh-en-Ndengin. Obviously Elvish has some of its roots in Finnish.

Originally Posted by Thinlómien

Gollum - Klonkku

Haha!

Originally Posted by Thinlómien

Middle-Earth - Keski-Maa

I just read that as Pesky and for some reason it made me laugh.

Originally Posted by Thinlómien

Leaflock - Lehvähapsi
("Lehvä" is an old-fashioned word that means leaf and "hapsi" does not actually translate as lock, rather as a tuft of thin hair.)

I assume you mean it doesn't mean anything to do with a lock as in "lock and key" because in English you do get lock as in "lock of hair"

Originally Posted by Thinlómien

Huorn - huorni

Haha! I was reminded of the "Middle-Earth Bumper Stickers" thread.



And on the whole I think that the Finnish translation gives it a very Middle-Earth-ish feel.

[Thinlómien]

Originally Posted by Eönwë

I assume you mean it doesn't mean anything to do with a lock as in "lock and key" because in English you do get lock as in "lock of hair"

Yep, I meant lock as lock of hair.

Originally Posted by Eönwë

And on the whole I think that the Finnish translation gives it a very Middle-Earth-ish feel.

I think so too.

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

Originally Posted by Eönwë

I just read that as Pesky and for some reason it made me laugh.

When I have read it, I know I thought about Esquimaux...

[Galadriel55]

I love the translations! Nerwen's make me giggle. Even though you mad that up. :-P


Some Russian (I wrote it phonetically. ch is like in cherry):

Baggins = Torbins (torba is an old word for a sac/bag)
Brandybuck = Brendizaik (I don't get the reasoning here, because "zaik" sounds like a rabbit...)
Took = Krol (this one's deffinitely a rabbit...)
Gamgee = Skrombi (probably comes from the word that means shy/humble)
Samwise "Sam" = Semmium "Sem"
Underhill = Nakruchins (Over-hill...)
Hornblower = Gromoboy (thunder-maker/drummer. Well, literally hitter.)
Goldberry = Zolotinka (Gold+suffix that I can't find an equivalent for in English)
Halfling = Nevisoklik (not-high), but in another translation called Poluroslik (half-high)
Ranger = sledopit (one who reads tracks)
Strider = Brodyaj'nik (Wanderer)
Barliman Butterbur = Lavr Narkiss (lavr is laurus, so instead of Gandalf making pun about butter, he talks about soup. )
Celeborn = Selerbern (just cause it sounds better)
Celebrimbor = Selebrimber (same reason)
Treebeard = Dreven' (probably a combination of derevo=tree and drevniy=ancient)
Gollum/Smeagol = Gorlum/Smeagorl (sounds better that way in Russian)
Grima Wormtongue = Grima Gmiloust (Rotten Mouth)


Middle-Earth = Sredizem'ye (hm. Mediterrain. So quite literally ME)
Shire = Hobbitannia
Bag-End = Torba-na-kruche (Bag on a hill)
Brandywine = Brendiduim
Old Forest = Vekovechniy Les (Everlasting forest)
Barrow-downs = Mogilniki (barrows + suffix)
Bree = Prigorye (Next-to-mountain)
Midgewater Marshes = Komariniye Topi (Mosquito swamps/marshes)
Rohan = Mustagrim (from mustang), or Ristaniya (not quite sure about that one)
Minas Tirith/Tower of guard = Minas Tirit/Fortress of Last Hope


The Fellowship = Hraniteli (keepers... for a lack of better word)

LOTR = Vlastelin Kolets (literal)
FOTR = Hraniteli (keepers)
TTT = Dve Tverdini ([the] Two Strongholds)
ROTK = Vozvrash'eniye Gosudarya (also literal)




These are just some, but the list is quite long as it is... :-)


PS: one that deserves extra-special attention is the one and only (... at leas at the time of LOTR)... *drumroll* ... BALROG! :-D It's translated as "Barlog", since it's just easier to say. (hence the reason for me calling him 'Barly' in my first posts on the Do-they-have-wings thread)

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

Hey, nice ones, G55! Interesting to read this (also especially because I can understand most of that, and so get the impression it probably gives to a reader...).

Originally Posted by Galadriel55

Goldberry = Zolotinka (Gold+suffix that I can't find an equivalent for in English)

Well, it would be a sort of... diminutive, right? It is very similar (and if you look at the first page, I think I've written it there) to the Czech name, which is Zlatěnka... in fact totally the same word (I wonder if some link in inspiration exists here?).

Rohan = Mustagrim (from mustang), or Ristaniya (not quite sure about that one)

Now this is really interesting - is it, like, really instead of Rohan? Or instead of "Riddermark"? Or something? I wonder what made them to do that, anyway. And the second word is really peculiar. Maybe something made from some obscure parts of the language? Brings once again into my mind this idea the Czech translator had (but in the end she decided not to do it) to translate the Rohirric names into Old Church Slavonic, to give the reader the feeling an English reader has ("the Rohirrim speak the same language as we did a thousand years ago"). Maybe there is some similar idea behind this?

PS: one that deserves extra-special attention is the one and only (... at leas at the time of LOTR)... *drumroll* ... BALROG! :-D It's translated as "Barlog", since it's just easier to say. (hence the reason for me calling him 'Barly' in my first posts on the Do-they-have-wings thread)

Hey, interesting! I can clearly see the point. Curious, but they didn't change Elrond, did they? Because I remember when I was small, I had exactly this sort of problem - or not a problem, simply a presupposition, I thought originally that it is "Erlond", simply because "Elrond" is much more difficult to pronounce. And I know several friends of mine, who know LotR only superficially, DO say "barlog", also probably because of the reason that it comes to them as more "natural"...

[Galadriel55]

Originally Posted by Legate of Amon Lanc

Hey, nice ones, G55! Interesting to read this (also especially because I can understand most of that, and so get the impression it probably gives to a reader...).

I could understand most of your Czech translations too! It's funner when you can take a good guess at what the meaning is.

Well, it would be a sort of... diminutive, right? It is very similar (and if you look at the first page, I think I've written it there) to the Czech name, which is Zlatěnka... in fact totally the same word (I wonder if some link in inspiration exists here?).

I guess it's diminutive... I don't know how it's called in Enlish...

And Goldberry's name in Russian is literally the same as Czech. Weird!

Now this is really interesting - is it, like, really instead of Rohan? Or instead of "Riddermark"? Or something? I wonder what made them to do that, anyway. And the second word is really peculiar. Maybe something made from some obscure parts of the language?

It could come from some root that I don't recognize. One of the reasons that the name had to be changed was because Rohan just sounds too un-Rohanny and un-Tolkienny in Russian (and would probably be more associated with Genghis Khan than anything else) . "Mustangrim" sounds Tolkien enough, and you can associate it with horses, so it makes sense.

Curious, but they didn't change Elrond, did they?

Hm.

[Durelin]

Originally Posted by Lommy's original list

Neekerbreeker = skikirikittäjä

That is such an awesome word. Though I don't know at all how to pronounce it properly, to me I can hear the buggy-ness/cicada-like sound. It's kinda creepy.

As for the French sometimes sounding a little less impressive...a friend of mine really got a kick out of watching Star Wars in French and hearing Darth Vader talk about 'Le Cote Obscur'...