Description

Book Synopsis
First ever critical study of Tolkien's little-known essay, which reveals how language invention shaped the creation of Middle-earth and beyond, to George R R Martin's Game of Thrones.J.R.R. Tolkien's linguistic invention was a fundamental part of his artistic output, to the extent that later on in life he attributed the existence of his mythology to the desire to give his languages a home and peoples to speak them. As Tolkien puts it in A Secret Vice', the making of language and mythology are related functions'.In the 1930s, Tolkien composed and delivered two lectures, in which he explored these two key elements of his sub-creative methodology. The second of these, the seminal Andrew Lang Lecture for 19389, On Fairy-Stories', which he delivered at the University of St Andrews in Scotland, is well known. But many years before, in 1931, Tolkien gave a talk to a literary society entitled A Hobby for the Home', where he unveiled for the first time to a listening public the art that he had

Trade Review

‘Anyone who has interest in language, linguistics, storytelling, or simply just fantasy in general should add this to their top shelf’
5* Amazon Reviewer

‘An absolute MUST HAVE for any Tolkien fan!’
5* Amazon Reviewer

A Secret Vice Tolkien on Invented Languages

    Product form

    A Paperback / softback by J. R. R. Tolkien, Dimitra Fimi, Andrew Higgins

    £9.49

    Includes FREE delivery

    RRP £9.99 – you save £0.50 (5%)

    Order before 4pm today for delivery by Fri 11 Sep 2026.

    3 in stock

      Trusted by thousands of customers. See 2,385+ Customer Reviews

      View other formats and editions of A Secret Vice Tolkien on Invented Languages by J. R. R. Tolkien

      Book details

      Publisher Harper Collins
      Imprint HarperCollins
      Published 9 July 2020
      ISBN-13 9780008131418
      978-0008131418
      ISBN-10 0008131414
      Also in:
      Dictionaries, Reference & Language Historical and comparative linguistics Philosophy of language ELT & Literary Studies Literary studies: poetry and poets

      Description

      Book Synopsis
      First ever critical study of Tolkien's little-known essay, which reveals how language invention shaped the creation of Middle-earth and beyond, to George R R Martin's Game of Thrones.J.R.R. Tolkien's linguistic invention was a fundamental part of his artistic output, to the extent that later on in life he attributed the existence of his mythology to the desire to give his languages a home and peoples to speak them. As Tolkien puts it in A Secret Vice', the making of language and mythology are related functions'.In the 1930s, Tolkien composed and delivered two lectures, in which he explored these two key elements of his sub-creative methodology. The second of these, the seminal Andrew Lang Lecture for 19389, On Fairy-Stories', which he delivered at the University of St Andrews in Scotland, is well known. But many years before, in 1931, Tolkien gave a talk to a literary society entitled A Hobby for the Home', where he unveiled for the first time to a listening public the art that he had

      Trade Review

      ‘Anyone who has interest in language, linguistics, storytelling, or simply just fantasy in general should add this to their top shelf’
      5* Amazon Reviewer

      ‘An absolute MUST HAVE for any Tolkien fan!’
      5* Amazon Reviewer

      Recently viewed products

      © 2026 Book Curl

        • American Express
        • Apple Pay
        • Diners Club
        • Discover
        • Google Pay
        • Maestro
        • Mastercard
        • PayPal
        • Shop Pay
        • Union Pay
        • Visa

        Login

        Forgot your password?

        Don't have an account yet?
        Create account