The One Ring’s inscription is written in the Black Speech in J.R.R. Tolkien’s fiction.
The inscription begins, “Ash nazg durbatulûk,” and continues with the lines translated as “One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them.” Tolkien created the Black Speech for Sauron and used it as the language of the inscription on the Ring.
The fiery letters become visible when the Ring is heated, revealing the verse associated with the Rings of Power. In the story, the inscription’s language contrasts with the Elvish languages most familiar to many readers, including Quenya and Sindarin.
The Black Speech should not be confused with Mordor’s entire linguistic landscape. Tolkien indicates that Orcs used many varieties of speech, while Sauron’s Black Speech was an imposed language intended to unify his servants. The Ring inscription is its best-known surviving example.