In Oxford One Day…..
It was rather difficult to find but at last, turning a corner within the winding alleys of Oxford – there it was – a cafe where Elvish was spoken – to be more specific the Elvish language Sindarin. The idea for such an innovation was down to John and Mary (not real names) who had met as undergraduates while studying Old English Language at Durham University and for whom the task of learning Elvish Sindarin was easier than it would have been for most – based on their academic training.
Their interest in archaic languages was to lead later to a deep fascination with the various versions of Elvish described in some detail by JRR Tolkien – to the extent of having Tuesday as the day when they would – as far as possible – only speak in Sindarin. I wonder now why Tuesday was chosen. Is this a special day in Tolkien lore?
As they would relate, however, Elvish being a more poetic language than English, would often elevate the tone of conversations and lead to more meaningful and better crafted dialogue. Mary also described how Elvish letters would from time to time appear in dreams and where it always seemed that the memory of them would fade before their meaning could be derived.
Over the door of the cafe – named Chez Elrond – the sign ‘Elvish Spoken’ was clearly visible. Sitting down at a table – one side of the menu was English and the other Elvish where additional phonetic content made it easier to place an order. Thumbnail images of the various menu items, however, also helped with the ordering process. The attending staff was alerted to whether English or Elvish was being used by what side of the menu was uppermost in the customer’s hand.
Mary explained that various of the everyday English descriptions of menu items had been adapted for Elvish. Mary also indicated that Oxford also has an active Elvish community that has made Chez Elrond a popular meeting place and where they delight in the fact that any material they send in social media can’t be translated by the social media platforms. John, however, commented on how the ‘Tolkienites’ – as he calls them – tend to get ‘worked up’ about the Tolkien themes and argue loud and long over issues he would reckon hardly matter at all. He indicated also that students would often skip lectures to join the throng at Chez Elrond and he was often minded to convey his misgivings on this to the worst offenders.
I did ask John if he thought there would be any comeback in use of Tolkien themes in a commercial venture. He more or less said that the risk was minimal but the free publicity would be a gift from heaven if it did transpire.
On leaving Chez Elrond after a memorable tea and toasted teacake, I noted that a queue had now formed outside the establishment. I wondered if there would be time to visit the nearby Christ Church Picture Gallery in the late afternoon.
