A Matrix Language Frame Analysis of Code-Switching in The Lord of the Rings Trilogy

Abstract

J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings is not merely a tale of high fantasy but a linguistic masterpiece, interwoven with Quenya, Sindarin, and Khuzdul. His unparalleled craftsmanship elevates Middle-earth beyond fiction into a realm of linguistic artistry. In Peter Jackson’s adaptation, these languages shape character identities and interactions, transcending mere ornamentation. This study examines code-switching in The Lord of the Rings trilogy using the Matrix Language Frame (MLF) model. The data used in this research consist of dialogue selections from Peter Jackson’s trilogy: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001), The Two Towers (2002), and The Return of the King (2003), containing samples of language alternation between English and Tolkien’s constructed languages (Sindarin, Quenya, and Khuzdul). The data were collected through documentation, which involved transcribing relevant scenes, identifying occurrences of code-switching, and classifying them into inter-sentential, intra-sentential, and tag-switching types for further structural analysis. The findings indicate that English functions as the dominant Matrix Language (ML), while Sindarin, Quenya, and Khuzdul serve as Embedded Languages (EL). These code-switches reinforce cultural identity, emotional expression, and narrative depth, while also reflecting the complex dynamics of multilingualism within a fictional world. The implication of this study lies in its contribution to sociolinguistics, translation studies, and film linguistics. It demonstrates that fictional multilingualism can be effectively analysed using real-world linguistic frameworks, offering new perspectives on how constructed languages serve as instruments of identity, power, and symbolic meaning in cinematic storytelling.