I began to discover different words for “hill” as I travelled through England and Scotland. In Canada, places are often named after people or after towns in the old country. In Britain, place-names often reflect the landscape. If, in the days of the Celts and Anglo-Saxons, one’s village was built near a hill, it was … Continue reading Tor, Brae, How, & Other Hill-ish Words
Tag: Language
A Glossary for Howard Pyle
Wordstapas registration for the fall is now open! You can read all the details by visiting the main Wordstapas page in the header, or by clicking here. If you feel inspired to share the news on your blog or social media, you can right click and select “Save image as” on the graphic below. ~*~ … Continue reading A Glossary for Howard Pyle
“Influence”: Tolkien’s Guide to Non-Plagiarism
In glancing over the posts I have published over the last five months, it appears I have accidentally written a series on specific elements of mythology that Tolkien incorporated into his work. No doubt there will be more of these in future (the material is vast), but I have paused to articulate how he manages … Continue reading “Influence”: Tolkien’s Guide to Non-Plagiarism
Why “The Wordstapas”?
It was in October 2021 that I announced the creation of The Tolkien Club. At that time I expressed my hesitation to name the society “The Tolkien Club,” for I knew we would not be reading much of J.R.R. Tolkien’s works, but rather focusing on ancient mythology (albeit of the kind that Tolkien read). So … Continue reading Why “The Wordstapas”?
5 Words You Thought Tolkien Invented
During the fall semester, as I was studying Old English texts, I unearthed several Old English words I vaguely assumed J.R.R. Tolkien had invented himself. I am not referring to words Tolkien borrowed and modified to his own taste. These were words whose form in The Lord of the Rings was identical (or nearly identical) … Continue reading 5 Words You Thought Tolkien Invented
On “Fernweh”
Purpose: To enlighten my readers on the word fernweh, which I have used at least twice without any explanation of its meaning. Fernweh is a German word, and its meaning requires a little explanation as it does not translate very comfortably into English. Fern means “far” and weh means “ache” or “pain.” Fernweh describes the … Continue reading On “Fernweh”
In Which I Make “An ANNOUNCEMENT”
Note: All interested in the Tolkien Club (now officially The Wordstapas) are referred to this page, wherein they may find all information regarding the society. The links regarding the Tolkien Club and the information session in the following post are no longer live. Should any questions arise, contact Nicole here. I shall not keep you … Continue reading In Which I Make “An ANNOUNCEMENT”
A Light on the Road
My dear friends, Know you what today is? It is September 24th, one year after I published Remembered Lore! I will reveal the significance of this date in a moment, but first let us toss some autumn leaves into the air to celebrate a year of myth re-found, words re-learned, and golden drafts of poetry … Continue reading A Light on the Road
The Rubicon of Language-Learning
I have attempted before to describe my remarkable experience of learning Latin and how it revolutionized my perspective on language-learning. All this was due to the way I was taught: submersion in the language itself. No toe-dipping---complete submersion, head and all. The book I was taught from was Hans Ørberg’s Lingua Latina. Lingua Latina uses … Continue reading The Rubicon of Language-Learning
The Why of Wherefore
Wherefore is one of those archaic words that is not yet quite obsolete. It is young enough that many people have heard of it, but old enough that many have forgotten what it means. It has survived mainly in the phrase “the whys and wherefores,” and in Juliet’s immortal line, “wherefore art thou Romeo?”1 Wherefore … Continue reading The Why of Wherefore
Remembered Lore 