Letter 239

Letter 239 is a letter written by J.R.R. Tolkien and published in The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien.

Summary

Tolkien writes to Allen & Unwin concerning the Spanish translation of The Hobbit. Point of concern for Tolkien is the use of gnomos as translation of "Dwarves" and "Gnomes". He tells he originally connected the word gnome to Greek wisdom, but abandoned it because of its more common use for pygmaeus ("pygmy").

Note

The Spanish translation eventually used enanos for Dwarves; it is unknown whether the second suggestion was also followed.