Brandagamba
Brandagamba is the original Westron version of the hobbit-name translated into English as Brandybuck.
Etymology[edit | edit source]
It contains the element branda- 'borderland' (referring to Buckland being on the eastern edge of the Shire), but also evokes Branda-nîn, 'border-water' (the early hobbitish name for the Brandywine river).[1]
The second half of the compound, -gamba, is a re-occurrence from the older name Zaragamba (or Oldbuck in translation), in the sense of a male deer or ram.
The river Branda-nîn was later jokingly altered to Bralda-hîm, 'heady ale'. According to Tolkien, "only a very bold hobbit would have ventured to call the Master of Buckland braldagamba in his hearing". [1]
Note on translation[edit | edit source]
While "Marchbuck" would be a literal translation of the name, it would lose the traditional connection with Brandywine, apparent in the actual Brandagamba-Branda-nîn. Tolkien rather translated the name as "Brandybuck" in order to retain this connection.[1]
See also[edit | edit source]
- buck at Wiktionary.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix F, "On Translation"
