Every year on March 25th, readers around the world celebrate Tolkien Reading Day, honoring the legacy of J.R.R. Tolkien—author of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. While many know Tolkien for his epic adventures and unforgettable characters, schools have a unique opportunity to highlight another part of his genius: his love of language.
Tolkien was not just a writer—he was a language creator, a philologist, and a firm believer in the power of words to shape stories, identities, and entire worlds. For educators, that’s a powerful lesson to share with students.
Why It Matters in Schools
Language is more than vocabulary and grammar—it’s a key to understanding different cultures, building empathy, and thinking creatively. Just like Tolkien invented Elvish languages to give his world depth, students can explore how real languages help us connect across borders and backgrounds.
That’s where translation plays a role.
Schools that serve diverse communities know how essential translation is for parent communication, special education, and multilingual learning. When we offer professional translation services—not machine-generated—we ensure every student and family has equal access to education, information, and support.
Ideas for the Classroom
- Read-Aloud Sessions from The Hobbit or The Lord of the Rings
- Creative Writing Prompts: Have students invent a few words in their own “fantasy language”
- Compare & Contrast Exercise: Look at a passage from Tolkien translated into another language and talk about the choices a translator must make
- Family Literacy Activities: Invite parents to share books or folktales in their home language
Final Words
Whether you’re teaching reading, writing, or world history, Tolkien Reading Day is a fun, meaningful way to show students how language can build bridges—between people, cultures, and even realms of imagination.
At Reliable Translations, Inc., we believe in the power of words—just like Tolkien did. That’s why we proudly support schools with accurate, human-powered translation and interpreting services every day of the year.
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