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Discoveries  by shirebound 10 Review(s)
PSWReviewed Chapter: 5 on 11/18/2015
These were all fun, thanks for writing!

Author Reply: Thank you so much!

obsidianjReviewed Chapter: 5 on 2/11/2011
I can so feel with Sam. English spelling was always the bane of my existence in school. Like Sam said, it makes no sense. A very cozy, warm scene.

Author Reply: Thank you so much. I loved writing this scene.

GamgeeFestReviewed Chapter: 5 on 12/28/2009
“Who invented this spelling, sir? It’s rather daft, if I may say so.”

“You may, and I have no idea!” Frodo laughed. “It’s quite confusing, isn’t it?”

“Darn near impossible,” Sam grumbled. “Why, a turnip has more sense than to spell all these different.”



LOL! Such a Sam thing to say, and so very much like Frodo and Bilbo to keep encouraging him to be curious and ask questions.

Author Reply: This was a fun conversation to write. Glad you enjoyed it. :)

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 5 on 12/15/2009
I love it, Shirebound. And if Westron indeed was the "common tongue" it is very likely that it, like English, adopted words and spellings from different languages, leading to a similar mishmash to our English spelling rules with its different applications from words of various origins.

Author Reply: Thank you, Larner. And I think the hobbits, especially, would have absorbed and adapted much of what they heard and encountered.

Baggins BabeReviewed Chapter: 5 on 12/15/2009
Lovely story, Shirebound. Sam is a lively and curious lad. Getting to grips with the peculiarities of English spelling and grammar is not easy, but Sam will get there, with help from Frodo and Bilbo.

I just love your stories! I feel warm and fuzzy now.

Author Reply: Thank you, my dear friend. May the 'warm and fuzzy' go ever on and on, for both of us! I hope your holiday season is peaceful and happy.

AltheaReviewed Chapter: 5 on 12/14/2009
Spelling is hard.
This is precious. I love the homey comfortable feeling you've described.

Author Reply: Thank you, Althea. Bag End is my 'happy place'. :)

CairistionaReviewed Chapter: 5 on 12/14/2009
What a lovely Yule vignette! The English language (or I guess I should say Westron!) is definitely full of exceptions to the rules.

I could all but smell the gingerbread, reading this!

Author Reply: *That's* what I forgot to put on the shopping list! I adore gingerbread.

Thank you so much. Glad you enjoyed this wee tale. :)

AntaneReviewed Chapter: 5 on 12/13/2009
What a sweet story - your specialty! :) I love it, especially Bilbo's words about curiosity, the end about Gandalf and Frodo's smile at the beginning. Cheers!

Namarie, God bless, Antane :)

Author Reply: Thanks, Antane. I appreciate knowing what parts you enjoyed most!

I do tend to be rather insatiable when it comes to gentle fluff. :)

AndreaReviewed Chapter: 5 on 12/13/2009
“They sound nearly the same, but are spelled different!” Sam said in frustration.

Yeah, and what about "flour" and "flower"? They sound *exactly* the same, but that's about the only aspect they have in common ;-)

But I should not complain, for my native language also features lots of exceptions!

Bilbo is a wonderful teacher. He always knows when it's time for a compliment and - which is even more important - when it's time for a break :-)

Author Reply: I think we're all amazing to have learned these crazy 'rules'! 'Flour' and 'flower' are terrific examples.

Thank you for your comments. Praising your students and challenging them... isn't that a great type of teacher? When Tolkien writes in FOTR that the Gamgees were on "very friendly terms" with Bilbo and Frodo, I imagine that Bilbo was very fond of the children... and that the children enjoyed being around him.

Kara's AuntyReviewed Chapter: 5 on 12/13/2009
Hello shirebound,

oh, that was so sweet. And funny! I remember the frustration of learning my 'letters' too. Sam has a point: a turnip HAS more sense than to spell all those words differently when they sound the same...

Thanks for the lovely read.

M :

Author Reply: Thank you so much. It's fun to imagine how these lessons might have gone, and I do believe Sam would have been an eager and diligent student.

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