Shippey explains that "He thought that people could feel history in words, could recognise language 'styles', could extract sense (of sorts) from sound alone, could moreover make aesthetic judgements based on phonology." Thus Tolkien has Legolas say, on hearing Aragorn singing The Lament of the Rohirrim in Rohirric (the language of Rohan), which Legolas does not understand:
Shippey clarifies that "He believed people could perceive history through words, distinguish linguistic styles, derive meaning from sound alone, and make aesthetic judgments based on phonology." Consequently, Tolkien depicts Legolas' reaction to Aragorn singing The Lament of the Rohirrim in Rohirric (the language of Rohan), which Legolas cannot comprehend.