This article explores the deep connection between J.R.R. Tolkien’s linguistic research and the creation of his Middle-earth legendarium. It examines how Tolkien’s early fascination with languages like Old English, Welsh, Finnish, and Gothic influenced his invented tongues and myth-making. Drawing on philological studies and the theoretical work of Owen Barfield, the article highlights language’s aesthetic, nominative, accumulative, and myth-creating functions in Tolkien’s work. It also situates Tolkien’s legendarium within the broader context of 20th-century fantasy literature and cultural studies, emphasizing the role of imagination in bridging ancient mythological consciousness and modern storytelling.

J.R.R. Tolkien, Middle-earth, linguistic research, invented languages, philology, Old English, Welsh, Finnish, Gothic, myth-making, Owen Barfield, fantasy literature, legendarium, language functions, imagination

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