The Tolkien Translation Game!

[scirocco]

Is it Faramir and Frodo comparing customs of grace before meals? I haven't checked the exact text but it sounds like it. (So do we).

[Jude]

You've got it! Now you just need to post the exact words...

[scirocco]

The original text is:

'That we do also,' said Faramir.

[Jude]

That’s the one! Your turn!

[scirocco]

Thanks. Here's a nice easy one, pretty recognisable from the original.

"Earned or unearned, you may give me the death penalty, but I do not intend to strip you of the name of vile birth, spy, or slave."

[Voronwë the Faithful]

Yes, quite recognizable. This must be Beren to Thingol. *goes to look it up*

'Death you can give me earned or unearned; but the names I will not take from you of baseborn, nor spy, nor thrall.'

[Frelga]

That is possibly the only Sil quote that even I recognized on site.

Re the Faramir quote, if you forgive a small osgiliation. I love how the multicultural cast of characters allows Tolkien to infodump without running into the "as you know, Bob," problem. There's always someone around to whom something can plausibly be explained. Hobbits, obviously, but even the seasoned trio of Hunters don't know everything about each other's lore.

[Voronwë the Faithful]

Here's one from Unfinished Tales that shouldn't be too difficult.

You may find that the smoke you have blown has erased the shadows of your mind.

[Jude]

Is that Saruman to Gandalf?

I only recognize it from a similar quote in the movie version of Fellowship. I didn't know there was a similar quote in Unfinished Tales.

[Voronwë the Faithful]

It is not Saruman to Gandalf, though both are involved.

[scirocco]

The funny thing is that the translation would actually work for Saruman to Gandalf, if Saruman had taken a disapproving parent tone and said “that super-potent weed you are smoking will wipe out your brain cells.”

[Alatar]

Théoden to Saruman?

[Voronwë the Faithful]

Théoden to Saruman?

Théoden is not the speaker but it is said to Saruman.

The funny thing is that the translation would actually work for Saruman to Gandalf, if Saruman had taken a disapproving parent tone and said “that super-potent weed you are smoking will wipe out your brain cells.”

I think it is very likely that the line in the film that Jude referenced is based on this line.

[scirocco]

I think it is very likely that the line in the film that Jude referenced is based on this line.

You're saying that Jackson and Walsh used Translation Party? That would explain the quality of some of the movie script.

[Voronwë the Faithful]

[Alatar]

I just remembered its in UT. So the White Council I assume?

[Voronwë the Faithful]

Yes, it was said at a meeting of the White Council, specifically the Council held in 2851.

[Alatar]

For some reason I thought the exchange was not between Saruman and Gandalf, but I see now that you just said Saruman didn't say it to Gandalf. It was Gandalf to Saruman:

"You might find that smoke blown out cleared your mind of shadows within"

[Voronwë the Faithful]

That's it! Your turn.

[Jude]

Wait, so Gandalf was trying to encourage Saruman to take up smoking?