Introduction to Black Speech

Tolkien, as a maestro of linguistic creativity, crafted the Black Speech for his epic tale in The Lord of the Rings. This unique language, spoken by the Dark Lords and their minions, particularly Sauron and his orcs, reflects Tolkien's deep dedication to linguistic consistency and historical realism. In this analysis, we explore which real-world languages might have inspired Tolkien and how these influences manifest in the creation of the Black Speech.

Linguistic Influences on Black Speech

Mix of Turcoman and Arabic

Many fans have long speculated about the origins of the Black Speech. One prominent theory suggests it is based on a mix of Turcoman and Arabic. This is due to the agglutinative nature of both languages, as well as the use of classical Arabic vowels. The agglutinative structure implies the use of suffixes to signify grammatical functions, much like how Black Speech forms.

Polish: An Echo in Sound and Curriculum

Another theory proposes that elements of Polish language influenced the creation of the Black Speech. Polish, with its distinct sounds including "sh", "szh", "k", "o", and "u", exhibits phonetic similarities that are reminiscent of the Black Speech. For instance, the orkish curse "Undur Kurv" translates to "Fat Whore" in Polish, which aligns with the dark and unsettling nature of the Black Speech vocabulary.

Examples of Polish speech on YouTube and the Orkish dialogue of Azog and Bolg by Blood and Thunder Productions reveal a striking parallel, suggesting that these sounds resonated with Tolkien's auditory imagination.

Turkish: Sound and Grammar Comparison

Scientific American once suggested a connection between the Black Speech and Turkish, arguing that the -uk sound is prevalent in both languages. However, in terms of grammar, the inscriptions of the One Ring in Turkish (via Google Translate) show a fundamental difference from Black Speech, implying a distinct structural evolution. This contrast adds depth to the idea that the Black Speech is more an artistic construction than a grammatically evolved language.

Despite these linguistic elements, it is crucial to note that Black Speech's vocabulary, grammar, and syntax deviate significantly from other languages, reflecting Tolkien's deliberate complexity and abstraction.

Black Speech as a Commentary on Artificial Languages

Tolkien's creation of the Black Speech also served as a commentary on artificial languages, such as Esperanto. He believed that a language could not arise spontaneously, but rather needed to evolve organically over time. In the story, Black Speech never gained widespread use, except among Sauron's elite, while orcs continued to use Common Tongue. This duality within the narrative underscores Tolkien's perspective on languages as evolving entities, rather than imposed systems.

Sumerian and Mesopotamian Influences

Another interesting theory proposes that the Black Speech has similarities with Sumerian, or languages of old Mesopotamia more broadly. The agglutinative quality and specific vowel usage could be seen as reminiscent of these ancient languages, adding a layer of historical and cultural legitimacy to the fictional language.

Conclusion

Through this exploration of potential linguistic influences on the Black Speech, we see how Tolkien wove together elements from various real-world languages to create a language that was both familiar and entirely alien. The Black Speech, with its agglutinative structure and unsettling vocabulary, serves as a testament to Tolkien's linguistic genius and his ability to craft languages that reflect the psychological and cultural aspects of his fantasy world.

Understanding these influences not only enhances our appreciation of The Lord of the Rings, but also provides insight into the creative process behind one of the most iconic languages in literature.