Letter 137d

The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien
Letter 137d
Recipient	P. H. Newby
Date	22 June 1953
Subject(s)	Broadcasting translations of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

Letter 137d is a letter written by J.R.R. Tolkien and published in The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien: Revised and Expanded edition.

Summary

In a letter to P. H. Newby of the BBC, Tolkien inquires about the possibility of broadcasting his translation of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. He mentions that he previously sent an incomplete manuscript, which had been well-received but was interrupted due to his time constraints.

Now, having completed the translation and received positive feedback from delivering the W.P. Ker Lecture in Glasgow, Tolkien offers to submit the full translation for consideration. He suggests that the broadcast could include a suitable selection of the text along with brief, non-technical introductory remarks and comments, ensuring that the material stands on its own merits for the audience.