# Elvish-English Translation: A memorial dedication **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 13, 2005, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elvish-english-translation-a-memorial-dedication/284576 "2005-01-13T17:59:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Speaker\_for\_the\_Dead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c77e96/32.png) [@Speaker\_for\_the\_Dead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Speaker_for_the_Dead)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2005, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elvish-english-translation-a-memorial-dedication/284576/1 "2005-01-13T17:59:45Z")
I forgot how much of a Tolkien lover my friend was. His family is curious as to whether we could put his name in Elvish script. So, I need to download an Elvish font (either language is alright), and I need to be aware of any translation difficulties. I assume their alphabet isn’t the same as the Roman one, but is there a way to translate the sounds? ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2005, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elvish-english-translation-a-memorial-dedication/284576/2 "2005-01-13T18:20:09Z")
[This site](http://www.sci.fi/~alboin/tengwartutorial.htm) has all the information and downloads you need to be able to an authentic translation from English into Tengwar (Elvish letters). ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2005, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elvish-english-translation-a-memorial-dedication/284576/3 "2005-01-13T18:48:13Z")
I suggest this– > [@](#): > > The Road goes ever on and on > Down from the door where it began. > Now far ahead the Road has gone, > And I must follow, if I can, > Pursuing it with eager feet, > Until it joins some larger way > Where many paths and errands meet. > And whither then? I cannot say. > > The Road goes ever on and on > Down form the door where it began. > Now far ahead the Road has gone, > And I must follow, if I can, > Pursuing it with weary feet, > Until it joins some larger way > Where many paths and errands meet. > And whither then? I cannot say. > > The Road goes ever on and on > Out form the door where it began. > Now far ahead the Road has gone, > Let others follow it who can! > Let them a journey new begin, > But I at last with weary feet > Will turn towards the lighted inn, > My evening-rest and sleep to meet. > > ~~by J.R.R. Tolkein. Copyright held by his heirs If I wasn’t going to be cremated, I’d use it. I’m sorry for your troubles, **Speaker**. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2005, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elvish-english-translation-a-memorial-dedication/284576/4 "2005-01-13T21:23:36Z")
How 'bout “Bilbo’s last Song”? I’d love to have it read at my funeral! To quote just a bit of it: > [@](#): > > Guided by the Lonely Star, > beyond the utmost harbour-bar, > I’ll find the havens fair and free, > and beaches of the Starlit Sea. > Ship, my ship! I seek the West, > and fields and mountains ever blest. > Farewell to Middle-earth at last. > I see the Star above my mast! [http://www.cs.rice.edu/~ssiyer/minstrels/poems/1112.html](http://www.cs.rice.edu/~ssiyer/minstrels/poems/1112.html) My condolences on your loss. ---
**Author:** ![Wendell\_Wagner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8491ac/32.png) [@Wendell\_Wagner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wendell_Wagner)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2005, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elvish-english-translation-a-memorial-dedication/284576/5 "2005-01-14T04:07:07Z")
Here’s a page with many resources on Tolkien’s languages: [http://www.elvish.org/resources.html](http://www.elvish.org/resources.html) ---
**Author:** ![Speaker\_for\_the\_Dead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c77e96/32.png) [@Speaker\_for\_the\_Dead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Speaker_for_the_Dead)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2005, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elvish-english-translation-a-memorial-dedication/284576/6 "2005-01-14T04:14:04Z")
Thank you all for replying so quickly. Because of the rushed nature of the proceedings, the program is finished and off to the printers. I’m not sure the name is right, but (I hate to say this) nobody will know. I doubt even my poor friend would be able to tell without research.