Things of Middle-earth
Lammas
Type: Books & Scrolls
Meaning: Account of Tongues
Other Names:
Lhammas (older name)
Lammasethen
Description:
A book of lore about the languages of Arda, written by the sage, Pengolodh:
Pengolodh the Loremaster of Eressëa says, in his Lammas or Account of Tongues, that Quenya meant properly 'language, speech', and was the oldest word for this meaning. This is not a statement based on tradition, but an opinion of Pengolodh; and he appears to mean only that Quendya, Quenya is actually never recorded except as the name of a language, and that language was the only one known to exist when this word was first made.
The War of the Jewels, HoME Vol 11, Part 4, Quendi and Eldar: Appendix D. Kwen, Quenya, and the Elvish (especially Ñoldorin) words for 'Language'
Little is said in Ñoldorin lore... concerning the 'language of the Valar and Maiar'; though it has been supposed above that the application of Quenya to the speech of the Elves in Aman was due to the contrast between the tongue of the Valar and the tongue of the Elves, which they had before supposed to be the only language in the world. Considering the interest of the Ñoldor in all matters concerning speech this is strange. Pengolodh indeed comments upon it and offers explanations. What he says in the beginning of his Lammas is here summarized; for his comment contains all that is now known of the matter.
The War of the Jewels, HoME Vol 11, Part 4, Quendi and Eldar: Note on the 'Language of the Valar'
The Lammas was composed in Eriador.
The War of the Jewels, HoME Vol 11, Part 4, Quendi and Eldar: Author's Notes to Quendi and Eldar, Note 35
Contributors: Elena Tiriel 14Mar08, 18Apr08
