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Glite Dictionary
Iglishmêk

Iglishmêk

9.9
A sign language of hand gestures used by Dwarves in Tolkien's stories
  • noun
  • /ˈɪɡlɪʃˌmɛk/
  • Literature
: iglishmêk
  • The Dwarves communicated secretly using Iglishmêk during council meetings.

Examples

  • Unlike spoken tongues, Iglishmêk relies entirely on coded hand gestures instead of sound.

  • Many fans study Iglishmêk to better understand Tolkien's fictional cultures.

  • The Iglishmêk language is fascinating.

  • Many Iglishmêks are found in Tolkien's works.

  • Many fans study Iglishmêk to better understand Tolkien's fictional cultures.

  • The Dwarves communicated secretly using Iglishmêk during council meetings.

  • Unlike spoken tongues, Iglishmêk relies entirely on coded hand gestures instead of sound.

Synonyms

sign language
vsIglishmêk
36 2.8

A language using hand signs and face movements to communicate, often used by people who are deaf

is a fictional crafted form used specifically by a fantasy community

Surface Forms

Iglishmêk singular
Iglishmêks plural

Etymology

The word Iglishmêk was invented by author J. R. R. Tolkien for the Dwarves of Middle-earth as the name of their secret sign language. A helpful way to remember Iglishmêk is to think of it as a 'crafted' set of hand gestures used by stone-working Dwarves, which explains why it is a made-up system of signs rather than a spoken language.