Linguistics L210 CASE S&H
(#13629; three credits; no prerequisites of any kind)
Language(s) and
Lord of the Rings
Mon/Tue/Wed/Thu/Fri 3pm-5:10pm
Sycamore Hall [SY], Room 105
2nd-4-Weeks course: June 04 (Mon.)- 29 (Fri.)
For
more information, please contact the instructor, Dr. Richard Janda (Dept. of Linguistics), by e-mail r.ianda@indiana.edu - or by phone: (812) 855-2702
[office], (812) 335-8943
[home], (812) 606-9170
[cell].
Linguistics L210, "Language(s) & LOTR"-
This course focuses on the ways in which J.R.R. Tolkien's
fascination with the nature and history of language(s) can be found on virtually
every page of The Lord of the Rings, largely
making it the work it is. As Tolkien stressed: "To me, a name comes first and
the story follows".
The course considers not only the invented languages used in the book, but also its relative avoidance of words not descended from Old English
or other Germanic languages (like Old Norse). Tolkien's employment
of sociolinguistic differences as a way to set apart the various
ethnic groups and
social classes also receives well-deserved attention. Becoming
acquainted with one scholar's dedication to the
study of real languages
no longer spoken, and with his
passion for inventing languages and cultures, thus leads
to a greater understanding of the principles behind the structure and the
functioning of all
languages, both ancient and modern.
But it also provides greater insight into
how LOTR is put together, and into why
it has had such broad and lasting
appeal.
Linguistics L210, "Language(s) & The Lord of the Rings"
imposes no prerequisites of any kind,
assumes no background in languages or linguistics,
and requires
no previous familiarity with book-
or movie
versions of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings (often
abbreviated LOTR or LotR).
