Letter on languages, prejudices that can arise from names and more and a brilliant reference to Tolkien’s son and his father | 2nd October 1947, 6 pages, original handwritten & signed Tolkien letter.

Handwritten, signed letter dated 2nd October 1947 and headed Merton College, Oxford. Tolkien's theories on languages, prejudices that can arise from names and a lovely Tolkien family reference to his son and to his father. 6 pages.

A singularly important letter in Tolkien's amazing, rather elvish handwriting, with one of the great Tolkien languages quotes: 'Languages remain.... the property of ordinary men....'

A riddle of a letter written to a gentleman called Riddle that discusses old English, old German and old French words (fascinating given Tolkien was a student of languages and that this learning informed the creation of the languages in Middle-Earth) alongside European and Greek Languages. The letter strongly references his son and then his father Arthur in relation to names and what one's name means and how others might perceive a person based purely upon their name with his son said to being glad to have not been named after Tolkien’s father as 'it suggested a rather silly elderly type with moustaches, too much watch-chain, and probably a curly pipe' (I am reminded of Gandalf strangely). A brilliant Tolkien family reference with a quote from his son which elevates the letter to no end.

The letter then delves into the difference in pronunciations and the fashions of spoken English across the UK, the difference between say southeast England (Kent) and London and cab-men and university slang and even references Football and much, much more.

Description and Condition:

Original Tolkien letter, handwritten and signed, 6 pages, written double sided, 4to, to A.W. Riddle, Merton College, Oxford. One-fold to each page down the middle. An excellent example with a stunning signature. Near fine to fine.