Holbytla: Difference between revisions
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'''Holbytla''' (pl. '''Holbytlan''') means ‘hole-dweller’, the legendary creatures known among the [[Northmen]] and the [[Rohirrim]]. | '''Holbytla''' (pl. '''Holbytlan''') means ‘hole-dweller’, the legendary creatures known among the [[Northmen]] and the [[Rohirrim]]. | ||
The legend originated perhaps from the time when their ancestors, the [[Éothéod]] saw and knew the Hobbits from the [[Vales of Anduin]], before or around their [[Wandering Days]]. | The legend originated perhaps from the time when their ancestors, the [[Éothéod]] saw and knew the Hobbits from the [[Vales of Anduin]], before or around their [[Wandering Days]]. From 'Holbytla' the word '[[Hobbits|Hobbit]]' in [[Westron]] was derived.<ref name="Road">{{TT|III8}}</ref> | ||
There is only one tale about them, namely that they do not appear in any other tales. They do little, and avoid the sight of men, being able to vanish in a twinkling; and they can change their voices to resemble the piping of birds. | There is only one tale about them, namely that they do not appear in any other tales. They do little, and avoid the sight of men, being able to vanish in a twinkling; and they can change their voices to resemble the piping of birds. | ||
When [[Théoden]] met [[Peregrin Took]] and [[Meriadoc Brandybuck]] standing guard at [[Isengard]] on [[5 March]], {{TA|3019}},<ref>{{App|Great}}</ref> he immediately connected them to the folklore creature although he noted that they weren't known to [[Smoking|spout smoke]] from their mouths. He was corrected by Peregrin, who said that they preferred the term "[[Hobbits|Hobbit]]"<ref name="Road"/> (''[[kuduk]]'').<ref name="Translation">{{App|F2}}</ref> | When [[Théoden]] met [[Peregrin Took]] and [[Meriadoc Brandybuck]] standing guard at [[Isengard]] on [[5 March]], {{TA|3019}},<ref>{{App|Great}}</ref> he immediately connected them to the folklore creature although he noted that they weren't known to [[Smoking|spout smoke]] from their mouths. He was corrected by Peregrin, who said that they preferred the term "[[Hobbits|Hobbit]]"<ref name="Road"/> (''[[kuduk]]'').<ref name="Translation">{{App|F2}}</ref> | ||
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It is the [[Old English]] translation of [[Rohirric]] ''[[Kûd-dûkan]]'', from which itself the word ''[[Kuduk]]'' was derived.<ref name="Translation"/> | It is the [[Old English]] translation of [[Rohirric]] ''[[Kûd-dûkan]]'', from which itself the word ''[[Kuduk]]'' was derived.<ref name="Translation"/> | ||
Holbytla seems to be a retroactive etymology, invented to explain the word "hobbit", which of course was initially a spontaneous inspiration by Tolkien without an explanation behind it.<ref>[[Humphrey Carpenter]], ''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: A Biography]]'', p. 172</ref> | |||
{{references}} | {{references}} | ||
[[Category: Hobbits]] | [[Category: Hobbits]] | ||
[[Category:Old English names]] | [[Category:Old English names]] | ||
[[fr:encyclo/peuples/hobbits/holbytlan]] | [[fr:encyclo/peuples/hobbits/holbytlan]] | ||
Revision as of 16:16, 9 March 2013
Holbytla (pl. Holbytlan) means ‘hole-dweller’, the legendary creatures known among the Northmen and the Rohirrim.
The legend originated perhaps from the time when their ancestors, the Éothéod saw and knew the Hobbits from the Vales of Anduin, before or around their Wandering Days. From 'Holbytla' the word 'Hobbit' in Westron was derived.[1]
There is only one tale about them, namely that they do not appear in any other tales. They do little, and avoid the sight of men, being able to vanish in a twinkling; and they can change their voices to resemble the piping of birds.
When Théoden met Peregrin Took and Meriadoc Brandybuck standing guard at Isengard on 5 March, T.A. 3019,[2] he immediately connected them to the folklore creature although he noted that they weren't known to spout smoke from their mouths. He was corrected by Peregrin, who said that they preferred the term "Hobbit"[1] (kuduk).[3]
Etymology
It is the Old English translation of Rohirric Kûd-dûkan, from which itself the word Kuduk was derived.[3]
Holbytla seems to be a retroactive etymology, invented to explain the word "hobbit", which of course was initially a spontaneous inspiration by Tolkien without an explanation behind it.[4]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers, "The Road to Isengard"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "The Great Years"
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix F, "On Translation"
- ↑ Humphrey Carpenter, J.R.R. Tolkien: A Biography, p. 172
