Abstract
A somewhat playful look at Tolkien’s invented languages, deducing some of the rules for evolution from Proto-Eldarian to Quenya then Sindarin and offering possible derivations for a number of hobbit words and names. Donahue’s conclusion is that Tolkien’s inventive sense was “puckish” and sprang from “a penchant for drollery.” Followed by Comments by Paul Nolan Hyde rebutting a number of Donahue’s points, a Reply by Donahue, and a Rejoinder by Hyde.
