The One Ring Inscription
The only example of "pure" Black Speech is the inscription upon the One Ring:
- Ash nazg durbatulûk, ash nazg gimbatul,
- ash nazg thrakatulûk agh burzum-ishi krimpatul.
When translated into English, these words form the lines:
- One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them,
- One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them.
These are the first two lines from the end of a verse about the Rings of Power. This corresponds to the following table as explained by J.R.R. Tolkien.
Black Speech | English |
---|---|
ash | one |
nazg | finger ring |
durb- | constrain, force, dominate |
at | verb ending, like a participle |
ulûk | verbal ending expressing object 3rd person pl. "them" (ul) (sic) in completive or total form "them-all". |
gimb- | seek out, discover |
thrak- | bring by force, hale, drag |
agh | and |
burzum | darkness |
ishi | in, inside |
krimp- | bind, tie |
Read more about this topic: Black Speech
Famous quotes containing the words the one, ring and/or inscription:
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In the cradle where it lies.
Let us all ring fancys knell.
Ill begin itDing, dong, bell.”
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