I know two of the Japanese alphabets. ^.^ Just have to start studying again so I can learn the hard one. ;)

Huh. So what's Putonghua? o.o; Do they still use Mandarin, or is it all Cantonese now?

I wasn't impressed with Tolkien, myself. The man is an incredible worldbuilder, but his actual writing is very dry. x.x I have a lot of Mercedes Lackey, Anne McCaffrey, and Piers Anthony books. :)