Thorgn

Thorgn is a fictional language created by author and conlanger J.R.R. Tolkien. It was one of several languages developed for Tolkien's Middle-earth stories, including The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion. Thorgn is not a prominent language in the Tolkien legendarium, however, as it was never used in any of the published works.

Thorgn was first proposed by Tolkien in the 1910s, as a language for the Easterlings, a group of eastern peoples in Middle-earth. The language was initially intended to be a Germanic-inspired tongue, but Tolkien eventually developed it into a distinct variant with its own grammar and vocabulary.

Despite its limited use, Thorgn has been studied by linguists and Tolkien scholars due to its unique characteristics. It features a system of grammar and inflection similar to other Icelandic-inspired languages in the Tolkien world. Thorgn's vocabulary has also been analyzed, revealing a blend of Norse and primitive Germanic elements.

The origins and development of Thorgn are not well-documented, as Tolkien did not leave behind any detailed notes on the language. However, based on the limited published fragments, it is clear that Thorgn was an experimental language meant to evoke the spirit of an ancient, forgotten tongue. Thorgn's obscurity has contributed to its value in the study of Tolkien's fictional languages, offering a glimpse into the creative process of a renowned language inventor.

Thorgn's publication history is marked by occasional mentions in academic journals and scholarly works on Tolkien's languages. Due to its rarity, Thorgn's written form and grammar are not widely disseminated, limiting access to this part of Tolkien's linguistic universe.