La
From Tolkien Gateway
la or lá (whenever stressed)[1] is a negation adverb meaning "no, not"
The word can get pronominal endings as if a negative verb when a verb is not expressed, apparently where the phrase "is not" is followed by a noun or an adjective as a predicate, or where some verb is understood , as in English "I do not".
Etymology
Forms
- ala, ála "do not!"
- lanye "I do not, am not" (melin sé apa lanye hé *“I love him but I do not him [that one]”)[4]
See also
Other versions
In another conceptual phase of Tolkien's, lá had the opposite meaning "yes"[5]
Tolkien considered that the negation could receive tense markers however he later reconsidered it. The tenses where la was attested are:
- la (aorist)
- laia (present)
- láne (past)
- alaie (perfect)
- lauva (future)
Inspiration
In Arabic languages, "no" is la'a, although it is unknown if Tolkien thought of this connection.Template:Or
References
- ↑ Vinyar Tengwar, Number 42, July 2001, p.33
- ↑ Vinyar Tengwar, Number 45, November 2003, p.25
- ↑ Vinyar Tengwar, Number 43, January 2002
- ↑ Vinyar Tengwar, Number 49, June 2007, p.15
- ↑ Vinyar Tengwar, Number 42, July 2001, pp.32-33
