The Balrog made no answer

[Rivendell_librarian]

From The Bridge of Khazad-Dum

The implication is that Balrogs can speak but Durin's Bane may have been the strong silent type. Is there any spoken words recorded for a Balrog in Tolkien's works or in Christopher's Tolkien's writings?

Do we know if Durin's Bane had detected the Ring or was he only acting like the fee fi fo fum giant - objecting to his claimed realm being invaded?

Further, Sauron had sent orcs into Moria. Was he planning to get the orcs to mine for mithril?

 

[Radaghast]

In letter #210 (the one about the infamous 'Z') Tolkien said the "Balrog never speaks or makes any vocal sound at all." I don't know if he meant Balrogs in general or that this particular Balrog chooses not to make a sound.

 

[Goldilocks Gamgee]

Throughout the Khazad-Dum chapter, the Balrog is continually described as an ethereal creature. This is the way we first meet him: "What it was could not be seen: it was like a great shadow, in the middle of which was a dark form, of man-shape maybe, yet greater; and a power and terror seemed to be in it and to go before it." The Balrogs are not flesh and bone, and I think their lack of speech emphasizes this, along with highlighting the seeming irrationality of their beings. Cohesive and rational speech is often viewed as the tell-tale sign of a creature's rationality, and this is something that the Balrogs apparently to lack.

We also know that Balrogs are creatures used solely for destruction, both in the old days when there were armies of them in service of Morgoth and in examples such as Durin's Bane, who seems to just destroy everything he can anytime he's awakened. Of course, the Balrogs are just fallen Maiar, but we have seen on many occasions how corruption can lack a creature of intelligence (ex. orcs and elves, trolls and Ents), so I think it makes sense for the Balrogs to lack the ability to communicate and rely sheerly on force.

 

[Radaghast]

The Balrogs are not flesh and bone, and I think their lack of speech emphasizes this, along with highlighting the seeming irrationality of their beings. Cohesive and rational speech is often viewed as the tell-tale sign of a creature's rationality, and this is something that the Balrogs apparently to lack.

I have to disagree, or at least don't see anything to suggest it is ethereal. Durin's Bane being is a physical being that "clutched" Gandalf who "hewed him" with his sword. DB is also described as being "stronger than a strangling snake". He also "smote the mountainside in his ruin". Descriptions of battles with Glorfindel and Ecthelion also suggest beings that are quite solid.

 

[Rivendell_librarian]

In letter #210 (the one about the infamous 'Z') Tolkien said the "Balrog never speaks or makes any vocal sound at all." I don't know if he meant Balrogs in general or that this particular Balrog chooses not to make a sound.

Given that it is about a LOTR film, I think it must refer to Durin's Bane rather than Balrogs in general. DB does not speak in this chapter but I don't think we can draw a conclusion from that that no Balrog can speak

 

[Eljorahir]

Is there any spoken words recorded for a Balrog in Tolkien's works

In The Fall of Gondolin balrogs are yelling, shrieking, crying, taking counsel, and ordering their demons. However, I found no specific spoken words.

'...the balrog yelled and fell forward...'
'...balrog...shrieked and fell backward...'
'...the death-cry of the balrog...'
'...Gothmog lord of Balrogs...took counsel...'
'...Gothmog Lord of Balrogs gathered all his demons...and ordered them thus...'