In the preface to the second edition, Tolkien stated that The Lord of the Rings "was primarily linguistic in inspiration and was begun to provide the necessary background or 'history'" for the Elvish languages ” (Tolkien 2004:xxii). Without a doubt, language is the foundation on which Tolkien defines cultures and individuals: the languages ​​Tolkien invented, especially those entirely unrelated to Westron or "common speech", vividly reveal and reflect the cultural differences in Middle-earth , but it's Tolkien's way of defining cultures and individuals. in which an individual uses language that distinguishes him from his contemporaries. Complicating Tolkien's process of fictional translation is the need to distinguish closely related language groups; however, Tolkien skillfully weaves his linguistic web by varying the type of English used. Assuming his role as 'translator' of the Red Book, Tolkien declares: “Only languages ​​foreign to the Common Speech have been left in their original form; but these appear chiefly in the names of people and places” (Tolkien 2004:1133). Considering Tolkien's statement, should the reader assume that these "alien" languages ​​serve no role other than to confer an aura of authenticity and suspend disbelief? Absolutely not! Instead, using a variety of languages ​​and keeping them in their original form, Tolkien creates a complex mythology composed of unique races and groups of people; More importantly, Tolkien's use of these languages ​​reveals and reflects the cultural differences in Middle-earth. By way of illustration, consider the Elves who, in addition to Westron, employ two native languages: Quenya, an ancient language or 'Elvish Latin' used for ceremonies, traditions and songs, and Sindarin, a language for everyday use , originally similar to Quenya. (Tolkien: 2004 1127-1128)......middle of paper......diien Johannesson's use of non-standard English forms and constructions concludes that hobbit speech reveals "social stratification" and "linguistic adaptation" (Johannesson 2004:55). Without a doubt, “the entire linguistic context has been translated as far as possible” (Tolkien 2004:1133). In a letter to Houghton Mifflin Tolkien wrote: “The invention of languages ​​is the foundation. “Stories” were created rather to provide a world for languages ​​rather than the other way around. For me the name comes first and the story follows... But there is a great deal of linguistic material (beyond the names and actually "elven" words) included or expressed mythologically in the book. For me, however, it is largely an essay in 'linguistic aesthetics,' as I sometimes say to people who ask me 'what is it about?'" (Letters No. 164, pp 219-220). Works Cited Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings