Talk:Limlîht

Which 'elvish' are we talking about here? Sindarin or Quenya. This clearly should be categorised but where depends on that peice of information. Dr Death 04:41, 17 September 2007 (EDT)

It's very clear from the phonotactics of the word that it must be Sindarin; Quenya does not allow the cluster ml for example. Nor are circumflexes used in Romanization of Quenya words. However, I am wondering if the word is spelled correctly; the cluster ht is unusual for Sindarin. —Tar-Telperien 15:25, 17 September 2007 (EDT)

Below is a quote from UT --Hyarion 16:38, 17 September 2007 (EDT)

"The name of the river Limlight is perplexed. There are two versions of the text and note at this point, from one of which it seems that the Sindarin name was Limlich, adapted in the language of Rohan as Limliht ("modernized" as Limlight). In the other (later) version, Limlich is emended, puzzlingly, to Limliht in the text, so that this becomes the Sindarin form. Elsewhere (p.294) the Sindarin name of this river is given as Limlaith. In view of this uncertainty I have given Limlight in the text. Whatever the original Sindarin name may have been, it is at least clear that the Rohan form was an alteration of it and not a translation, and that its meaning was not known (although in a note written much earlier than any of the foregoing the name Limlight is said to be a partial translation of Elvish Limlint "swift-light")."

― Unfinished Tales, Cirion and Eorl and the Friendship of Gondor and Rohan, Note 46

Looks like we have something of a nomenclature problem on our hands then. Any suggestions as to how we should deal with the Elvish here? Because "Limlîht" really does look odd for Sindarin. I say we move all content to Limlight and have a note saying that the original Sindarin form from which it comes is unknown/disputed. —Tar-Telperien 20:06, 17 September 2007 (EDT)

Sounds like the best course to me. Personally though i'd shy away from writing up the explaination myself since i really have terribly limited grasp of Tolkien's linguistics. Someone for whom they are more of a forte should be able to voice it infinately better. Still, that's my excuse ;) Dr Death 05:23, 18 September 2007 (EDT)