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Sindarin

2019-04-05T04:03:36Z

Elaran: Additional edits to the pronoun section.

{{rewrite}}
''(See also [[:Category:Sindarin words|Sindarin words]])''

'''Sindarin''' was the [[Elvish]] language most commonly spoken in [[Middle-earth]] in the [[Third Age]].
==History==
Sindarin was the language of the [[Sindar]], those [[Teleri]] which had been left behind on the [[Great Journey]] of the [[Elves]]. It was derived from an earlier language called [[Common Telerin]]. When the [[Noldor]] came back to Middle-earth, they adopted the Sindarin language, although they believed their native [[Quenya]] more beautiful. Before the downfall, most of the [[Men]] of [[Númenor]] also knew the language, though the common language there was [[Adûnaic]]. Knowledge of it was kept in the [[Númenóreans|Númenórean]] realms-in-exile [[Arnor]] and [[Gondor]], especially amongst the learned. While [[Westron]] (descended from Adûnaic) became the most common language in Middle-earth during the [[Third Age]], Sindarin remained the everyday language of Elves and [[Rangers of the North|Rangers]].

Sindarin became the language of the Noldor because of the command of King [[Thingol|Elu Thingol]] of [[Doriath]]. Upon learning of the [[Kinslaying at Alqualondë]], he declared that [[Quenya]], the language of the Noldor, should be prohibited in his lands. As the Noldor were dwelling in a Sindarin-speaking land, and because of the decree of Thingol though it did not directly affect them, they gradually switched entirely to Sindarin. Their names were also changed to Sindarin, such as ''Finwë-Ñolofinwë'' to [[Fingolfin]], and ''Turukáno'' to [[Turgon]].

When the [[Elves of Beleriand]] first encountered the dwarves, they could not understand a word of the [[Khuzdul|tongue of the Dwarves]]. Dwarves were swift to learn and indeed were more willing to learn Sindarin than to teach their own to those of alien race.<ref>{{S|10}}</ref>

The written script alphabet of the Elven languages is typically '''[[Tengwar]]''', although '''[[Cirth]]''' (itself originally intended specifically for Sindarin) can also be used.

== Grammar ==
Sindarin is mainly analytic, though traits of its highly inflected progenitor can still be seen.

=== Phonology ===
Sindarin was designed to have a [[Welsh]]-like phonology. It has most of the same sounds and similar phonotactics.

{| rules="all" style="text-align:center; border:1px solid darkgrey; border-collapse:collapse" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0"
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Letter'''
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''[[wikipedia:IPA|IPA]]'''
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Example'''
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Notes'''
|-
| a, ä || {{IPA|a}} || [[Aragorn|'''A'''r'''a'''gorn]] || Sindarin ''a'' is most like ''a'' in English ''father'' or ''a'' in Spanish ''mambo''. Either pronunciation is suitable.
|-
| á || {{IPA|aː}} ||   || Sindarin ''á'' is pronounced just noticeably longer in duration than Sindarin ''a'', but otherwise is pronounced the same.
|-
| â || {{IPA|aːː}} ||   || Sindarin ''â'' is pronounced for an even longer duration than Sindarin ''á'', usually in single-syllable words. But it is permissible to pronounce it the same as ''á''.
|-
| ae || {{IPA|a͡ɛ}} || [[Maedhros|M'''ae'''dhros]] || Similar to ''ai'', but ends at a ''more'' open vowel height.
|-
| ai || {{IPA|a͡ɪ}} || [[Edain|Ed'''ai'''n]] || Sindarin ''ai'' is most like ''i'' in English ''time''. ''ae'' is similar to ''ai'', but ''ai'' ends at a ''less'' open vowel height. J.R.R. Tolkien said that ''ae'' and ''ai'' can be pronounced the same if a person cannot tell the difference between them.
|-
| au, aw || {{IPA|a͡ʊ}} || [[Glaurung|Gl'''au'''rung]]; [[Oromë#Etymology|Ar'''aw''']] || Sindarin ''au'' is most like ''ou'' in English ''thousand'' or like ''ow'' in English ''cow''. It is never pronounced like ''au'' in English ''cause'' or like ''aw'' in English ''law''. The spellings ''au'' and ''aw'' are the same sound, but ''aw'' is preferred at the ends of words, as in ''[[Oromë#Etymology|Araw]]''.
|-
| b || {{IPA|b}} || [[Beleriand|'''B'''eleriand]] ||  
|-
| c || {{IPA|k}} || [[Celeborn|'''C'''eleborn]] || Always hard ''c'' like in English ''cake''. Never soft ''c'' like in English ''cell''.
|-
| ch || {{IPA|x}} || [[orch|or'''ch''']] || Always like ''ch'' in Scottish ''loch''. Never like ''ch'' in English ''chair''.
|-
| d || {{IPA|d}} || [[Dúnedain|'''D'''úne'''d'''ain]] ||  
|-
| dh || {{IPA|ð}} || [[Caradhras|Cara'''dh'''ras]] || Sindarin ''dh'' is most like ''th'' in English ''the''. It is not pronounced like normal ''d''.
|-
| e, ë || {{IPA|ɛ}} || [[Beren|B'''e'''r'''e'''n]] || Sindarin ''e'' is most like ''e'' in English ''get'' or ''e'' in Spanish ''comprende''. Either pronunciation is suitable, but it ''never'' has a ''y'' off-glide like in English ''grey''.
|-
| é || {{IPA|eː}} ||   || Sindarin ''é'' is pronounced just noticeably longer in duration than Sindarin ''e'', but otherwise is pronounced the same.
|-
| ê || {{IPA|eːː}} ||   || Sindarin ''ê'' is pronounced for an even longer duration than Sindarin ''é'', usually in single-syllable words. But it is permissible to pronounce it the same as ''é''.
|-
| ei || {{IPA|ɛ͡ɪ}} || [[Gil-galad|Er'''ei'''nion]] || Sindarin ''ei'' is most like ''ey'' in English ''grey'', always with the ''y'' off-glide.
|-
| f || {{IPA|f, v}} || [[Fëanor|'''F'''ëanor]] || Represents {{IPA|[v]}} when final or before ''n'', and {{IPA|[f]}} everywhere else.
|-
| g || {{IPA|ɡ}} || [[Galadriel|'''G'''aladriel]] || Always hard ''g'' like in English ''gasp''. Never soft ''g'' like in English ''gem''.
|-
| h || {{IPA|h}} || [[Húrin|'''H'''úrin]] ||  
|-
| hw || {{IPA|ʍ}} ||   || Sindarin ''hw'' is most like the traditional pronunciation of ''wh'' in English ''whale'', as it is still heard in Scotland, Ireland and parts of the southern United States. It is also similar to ''ju'' in Mexican Spanish ''Juan''. It is never pronounced like ordinary ''w'' in English ''wail''. If nothing else works, try pronouncing ''w'' while whispering.
|-
| i || {{IPA|ɪ, j}} || [[Minas Tirith|M'''i'''nas T'''i'''r'''i'''th]] || Sindarin ''i'' is usually pronounced as the ''i'' in ''sick''. But sometimes Sindarin ''i'' is more like ''y'' in English ''young''—it is this way at the beginning of a word before a vowel, and in certain unstressed syllables before vowels. (For instance, ''[[Doriath]]'' is a compound of ''[[dôr]]+[[iath]]'', where ''[[iath]]'' is just one syllable.)
|-
| í || {{IPA|iː}} || [[Círdan|C'''í'''rdan]] || Sindarin ''í'' is pronounced noticeably longer in duration than Sindarin ''i'', and has a different quality. Sindarin ''í'' is most like ''i'' in English ''ink'' or like ''i'' in Spanish ''gringo''. Either pronunciation is suitable.
|-
| î || {{IPA|iːː}} || [[Gwîr|Gw'''î'''r]] || Sindarin ''î'' is pronounced for an even longer duration than Sindarin ''í'', usually in single-syllable words. But it is permissible to pronounce it the same as ''í''.
|-
| l || {{IPA|l}} || [[Legolas|'''L'''ego'''l'''as]] ||  
|-
| lh || {{IPA|ɬ}} || [[Lhûn|Lh'''û'''n]] || There is no parallel for Sindarin ''lh'' in English. But it is like ''ll'' in [[Welsh]] or ''ł'' in Navajo, or [[Quenya]] ''hl''. More specifically, it is a ''voiceless alveolar lateral'', like ''s'' when spoken in a lateral lisp. If nothing else works, try pronouncing ''l'' while whispering.
|-
| ll || {{IPA|lː}} || [[mellon|me'''ll'''on]] || Sindarin ''ll'' is pronounced for an even longer duration than Sindarin ''l'', but otherwise is pronounced the same.
|-
| m || {{IPA|m}} || [[Mordor|'''M'''ordor]] ||  
|-
| mh || {{IPA|ṽ}} ||   || An Archaic Sindarin sound, a "spirant" ''m'', just like Gaelic ''mh''. This sound became the same as ''v'' since at least the First Age, and ''mh'' as a spirant ''m'' does not appear even in [[The Silmarillion]]-style Sindarin spellings, so that spellings like ''[[Tinúviel]]'' are preferred over ''*Tinúmhiel''. Suffice it to say that this spelling of ''mh'' is not used in [[Lord of the Rings]]-style [[Third Age]] Sindarin either.
|-
| mm || {{IPA|mː}} || [[Rammas Echor|Ra'''mm'''as]] || Sindarin ''mm'' is pronounced for an even longer duration than Sindarin ''m'', but otherwise is pronounced the same.
|-
| n || {{IPA|n}} || [[Nevrast|'''N'''evrast]] ||  
|-
| nc || {{IPA|ŋk}} || [[Orthanc|Ortha'''nc''']] || Like ''nk'' in English ''think''.
|-
| ng || {{IPA|ŋ(ɡ)}} || [[Fingolfin|Fi'''ng'''olfin]]; [[Glamdring|Glamdri'''ng''']] || Represents {{IPA|[ŋɡ]}} between two vowels (like ''ng'' in English ''finger''), and {{IPA|[ŋ]}} everywhere else (like ''ng'' in English ''singer''). It is never pronounced like ''ng'' in English ''ginger''.
|-
| nn || {{IPA|nː}} || [[Pelennor|Pele'''nn'''or]] || Sindarin ''nn'' is pronounced for an even longer duration than Sindarin ''n'', but otherwise is pronounced the same.
|-
| o, ö || {{IPA|ɔ}} || [[Gorgoroth|G'''o'''rg'''o'''r'''o'''th]] || Sindarin ''o'' is most like ''o'' in English ''hot'', but with rounder lips. It can also be pronounced like the ''o'' in the Italian word ''notte''. Either pronunciation is suitable, but it ''never'' has a ''w'' off-glide like ''ow'' in English ''show''.
|-
| ó || {{IPA|ɔː}} || [[Dor-lómin|Dor-l'''ó'''min]] || Sindarin ''ó'' is pronounced just noticeably longer in duration than Sindarin ''o'', but otherwise is pronounced the same.
|-
| ô || {{IPA|ɔːː}} ||   || Sindarin ''ô'' is pronounced for an even longer duration than Sindarin ''ó'', usually in single-syllable words. But it is permissible to pronounce it the same as ''ó''.
|-
| oe || {{IPA|o͡e}} ||   || Sindarin ''oe'' is somewhat like ''oi'' in English ''join''. Though this is not ''completely'' accurate because ''oe'' ends with an off-glide that sounds like Sindarin ''e'', it is a suitable pronunciation because there is no Sindarin ''oi'' to contrast with. Alternately, ''oe'' is like ''oe'' in Hawaiian ''Aloha ʻOe''.
|-
| œ || {{IPA|ø}} || [[Nirnaeth Arnoediad|Nírnaeth Arn'''œ'''diad]] || An Archaic Sindarin sound, at one time pronounced like French ''eu'', ''oe'' or ''oeu'' or like German/Swedish ''ö'' or like Danish/Norwegian ''ø''. In the [[Third Age]] it is pronounced just like Sindarin ''e'', so it is suitable to pronounce it like ''e''. Mostly found in [[First Age]] Sindarin words, and most famously in ''[[Nirnaeth Arnoediad|Nírnaeth Arnœdiad]]''. [[Lord of the Rings]]-style Third Age Sindarin spellings do not use ''œ'' at all, only ''e'', such as ''[[Ered Luin]]'' instead of ''*Œrœd Luin''.
|-
| p || {{IPA|p}} || [[Pengolodh|'''P'''engolodh]] ||  
|-
| ph || {{IPA|f, fː}} || [[Ephel Dúath|E'''ph'''el Dúath]] || Represents {{IPA|[f]}} when final, {{IPA|[fː]}} everywhere else.
|-
| r || {{IPA|r}} || [[Boromir|Bo'''r'''omi'''r''']] || Sindarin ''r'' is always trilled or at least flapped wherever possible, like in Scottish English. It is not pronounced like General English ''r'', but this is still often a suitable pronunciation because Sindarin has no other rhotic consonant besides ''rh''.
|-
| rh || {{IPA|r̥}} || [[Rhovanion|'''Rh'''ovanion]] || There is no parallel for Sindarin ''rh'' in English. But it is like Welsh ''rh'', or [[Quenya]] ''hr''. If nothing else works, try pronouncing ''r'' while whispering.
|-
| rr || {{IPA|rː}} ||   || Sindarin ''rr'' is pronounced for an even longer duration than Sindarin ''r'', but otherwise is pronounced the same. For this reason, ''rr'' is always trilled, because a flap ''r'' cannot be pronounced long.
|-
| s || {{IPA|s}} || [[Sirion|'''S'''irion]] || Sindarin ''s'' is always pronounced like ''s'' in English ''safe'', and never like ''s'' in English ''ease''. There is no ''z'' in Sindarin.
|-
| ss || {{IPA|sː}} || [[Ossiriand|O'''ss'''iriand]] || Sindarin ''ss'' is pronounced for an even longer duration than Sindarin ''s'', but otherwise is pronounced the same.
|-
| t || {{IPA|t}} || [[Túrin|'''T'''úrin]] ||  
|-
| th || {{IPA|θ}} || [[Ecthelion|Ec'''th'''elion]] || Sindarin ''th'' is always pronounced ''th'' in English ''think'', and never like ''th'' in English ''these''—the latter sound is used for the separate Sindarin consonant ''dh''.
|-
| u || {{IPA|ʊ}} || [[Curufin|C'''u'''r'''u'''fin]] || Sindarin ''u'' is most like ''u'' in English ''put'' or the vowel sound in the word ''good''. It is never pronounced like ''u'' in English ''gut'', or like ''u'' in English ''rude''.
|-
| ú || {{IPA|uː}} || [[Lúthien|L'''ú'''thien]] || Sindarin ''ú'' is pronounced just noticeably longer in duration than Sindarin ''u'', and has a different quality. It is pronounced like ''u'' in the English word ''dude'' or like ''u'' in Spanish ''mundo''.
|-
| û || {{IPA|uːː}} || [[Barad-dûr|Barad-d'''û'''r]] || Sindarin ''û'' is pronounced for an even longer duration than Sindarin ''ú'', usually in single-syllable words. But it is permissible to pronounce it the same as ''ú''.
|-
| ui || {{IPA|u͡ɪ}} || [[Orodruin|Orodr'''ui'''n]] || Sindarin ''ui'' is most like ''oo y'' in English ''too young'', pronounced all in one syllable. ''ui'' is always counted as one syllable, and never split into two syllables ''u i''.
|-
| v || {{IPA|v}} || [[Tinúviel|Tinú'''v'''iel]] ||  
|-
| w || {{IPA|w}} || [[Gwaihir|G'''w'''aihir]] ||  
|-
| y || {{IPA|y}} || [[Emyn Muil|Em'''y'''n Muil]] || Pronounced like the French ''u'' or the German ''ü''. It is also permissible to pronounce it like Sindarin ''i'', if at least because Sindarin ''i'' and ''y'' become pronounced the same during the [[Third Age]].
|-
| ý || {{IPA|yː}} ||   || Sindarin ''ý'' is pronounced just noticeably longer in duration than Sindarin ''y'', but otherwise is pronounced the same.
|-
| ŷ || {{IPA|yːː}} ||   || Sindarin ''ŷ'' is pronounced for an even longer duration than Sindarin ''ý'', usually in single-syllable words. But it is permissible to pronounce it the same as ''ý''.
|}

=== Nouns ===

==== Pluralization ====
Sindarin plurals are characterised by ''i-affection'', or ''umlaut'' (see also ''[[prestanneth]]'' "affection of vowels").<ref>{{L|347}}, p. 427</ref> Almost all Sindarin words form their plurals like English man/men and goose/geese — by changing the vowels in the word. The plural patterns are:

{| rules="all" style="border:1px solid darkgray; border-collapse:collapse" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0"
| align="center" bgcolor="lightgrey" colspan="2" | '''In Non-final Syllables'''
|-
| a > e || galadh > gelaidh
|-
| e > e || bereth > berith
|-
| i > i || fireb > firib
|-
| o > e || golodh > gelydh
|-
| u > y || tulus > tylys
|-
| y > y || ''(no example available)''
|-
| align="center" bgcolor="lightgrey" colspan="2" | '''In Final Syllables'''
|-
| a > ai || adan > edain
|-
| â > ai || tâl > tail
|-
| e > i || edhel > edhil
|-
| ê > î || hên > [[hîn]]
|-
| i > i || brennil > brennil
|-
| î > î || dîs > dîs
|-
| o > y || annon > ennyn
|-
| ó > ý || bór > býr
|-
| ô > ŷ || thôn > thŷn
|-
| u > y || urug > yryg
|-
| û > ui || hû > hui
|-
| y > y || ylf > ylf
|-
| ý > ý || mýl > mýl
|-
| au > oe || naug > noeg
|}

Note that ''ai'' can sometimes become ''î'' (or, less commonly, ''ý'').

The reason for this is that the primitive plural ending ''-î'' (still present in Quenya as ''-i'') affected the vowels in the word by making them higher and fronter. After this sound change occurred, the suffix ''-î'' disappeared when all final vowels were lost.

==== Class Plural ====
Sindarin also has several suffixes which denote a so-called class plural. For example, ''-ath'' indicates a group of something, e.g. ''elenath'' from ''[[elen]]'' (an archaic form of ''êl''), meaning "star" and ''-ath''. It means "a group of stars" or "all the stars in the sky". Another ending, ''-rim'', is used to indicate a race, e.g. ''nogothrim'' from ''nogoth'' — "dwarf" and ''-rim'', meaning "the race of dwarves". The ending ''-hoth'' is generally used in an unfriendly sense, e.g. ''gaurhoth'' from ''gaur'' — "werewolf" and ''-hoth'', meaning "werewolf-host".

=== Mutation ===
Sindarin has a complex series of mutations. There are three main different types of mutations: ''soft mutation'' (or lenition), ''nasal mutation'' and ''stop'' (occlusive) ''mutation''. Additionaly, a ''mixed mutation'' is also observed after certain particles or prepositions. Finally, it is presumed that Sindarin also once had what we could call an ''archaic spirantal mutation'' (also sometimes called ''liquid mutation'' by scholars). It is still uncertain whether this mutation is still productive or if it only occurs in ancient constructs.

Initial mutations must not be confused with assimilations that may occur in compound words (such as, for instance, in the names ''[[Araphor]]'', ''[[Arassuil]]'', and ''[[Caradhras]]'').

The following table outlines how different consonants are affected by the different mutations:

{| rules="all" style="border:1px solid darkgrey; border-collapse:collapse" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0"
|-
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Basic'''
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Soft'''
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Nasal'''
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Mixed'''
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Stop'''
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Liquid'''
|-
| b || v || m || b || b || v
|-
| c || g || ch || g || ch || ch
|-
| d || dh || n || d || d || dh
|-
| g || ' || ng || g || g || '
|-
| h || ch || ch || h || ch || ch
|-
| lh || thl || 'l || 'l || thl || 'l
|-
| m || v || m || m || m || v
|-
| p || b || ph || b || b || ph
|-
| rh || thr || 'r || 'r || thr || 'r
|-
| s || h || s || h || s || s
|-
| t || d || th || d || th || th
|}

Here the apostrophe indicates elision.

Words beginning in ''b-'', ''d-'', or ''g-'' which descend from older ''mb-'', ''nd-'', or ''ng-'' are affected differently by the mutations:

{| rules="all" style="border:1px solid darkgrey; border-collapse:collapse" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0"
|-
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Basic'''
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Soft'''
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Nasal'''
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Mixed'''
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Stop'''
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Liquid'''
|-
| b || m || mb || mb || mb || b
|-
| d || n || nd || nd || nd || d
|-
| g || ng || g || g || g || g
|}

Take, for example, the deictic article ''i'', which triggers soft mutation. When added to a word like ''[[tâl]]'', it becomes ''i dâl''. In Sindarin's phonological history, ''t'' became ''d'' in the middle of a word. Because ''i tâl'' at the time was considered one word, the ''t'' became ''d'', and thus ''i dâl''. However, without the article the word is still ''tâl''.

Mutation is triggered in various ways:
* Soft mutation, the most widely occurring mutation, is triggered by the singular article ''i'', the prefixes ''athra-, ath-, [[go-]], [[go-|gwa-]], ú-,'' and ''u-'', as well as the prepositions ''ab, am, adel, be, dad, di, na, nu,'' and ''î'', and after ''avo''. It also affects the second element in a compound, an adjective following a noun, and the object of a verb.
* Nasal mutation is triggered by the plural article ''in'', and the prepositions ''an, dan,'' and plural '''nin''.
* Mixed mutation is triggered by the genitive article ''en'', and the prepositions ''ben, erin, nan, 'nin,'' and ''uin''.
* Stop mutation is triggered by the prepositions ''ed, ned,'' and ''o(d)''.
* Liquid mutation is presumably triggered by the preposition ''or''.

=== Pronouns ===
Sindarin pronouns, like those in English, still maintain some case distinction, having nominative, accusative, possessive, and dative forms. They are one of the poorly attested features of Sindarin. While recent publications offer a clearer picture, the whole system is yet to be attested. Thus the following table will list only the personal pronouns, marking the non-attested forms with asterisks.

{| rules="all" style="border:1px solid darkgrey; border-collapse:collapse" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0"
| rowspan="2" |
| align="center" bgcolor="gray" colspan="2" | '''First Person'''
| bgcolor="gray" |
| align="center" bgcolor="gray" colspan="2" | '''Second Person'''
| bgcolor="gray" |
| align="center" bgcolor="gray" colspan="2" | '''Third Person'''
|-
| align="center" bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Singular'''
| align="center" bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Plural'''
| bgcolor="lightgrey" |
| align="center" bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Singular'''
| align="center" bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Plural'''
| bgcolor="lightgrey" |
| align="center" bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Singular'''
| align="center" bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Plural'''
|-
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Nominative'''
| ni* || me* / pe* (incl.)
| bgcolor="lightgrey" |
| '''''ci''''' / '''''le''''' (form.) || '''''de'''''
| bgcolor="lightgrey" |
| te* || '''''ti'''''
|-
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Accusative'''
| '''''nin''''' || '''''ven''''' / ben*
| bgcolor="lightgrey" |
| gin* / len* || dhen*
| bgcolor="lightgrey" |
| '''''den''''' || din*
|-
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Possessive'''
| '''''nîn''''' || '''''vîn''''' / bîn*
| bgcolor="lightgrey" |
| gîn* / '''''lîn''''' || dhîn*
| bgcolor="lightgrey" |
| '''''dîn''''' || dîn*
|-
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Dative'''
| '''''annin''''' || '''''ammen''''' / aphen*
| bgcolor="lightgrey" |
| echin* / allen* || annen*
| bgcolor="lightgrey" |
| athen* || ethin*
|-
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Enclitic'''
| '''''-(o)n''''' || '''''-(o)f''''' / '''''-(a)b'''''
| bgcolor="lightgrey" |
| '''''-(o)g''''' / '''''-(o)l''''' || -(o)dh*
| bgcolor="lightgrey" |
| ◌̂ & '''''-(a)''''' || '''''-(a)r'''''
|}

=== Verbs ===
Sindarin verbs are also quite complex. The number of attested verbs in Sindarin is small, although recent publications clarify most details of conjugation. There are two main types of verbs: ''basic'' and ''derived''. Basic verbs have stems which end in a consonant, and derived verbs have stems which incorporate some sort derivational morpheme (such as a causative ending) which ends in ''-a''.

==== Basic Verbs ====
Basic verbs, though smaller in number than derived verbs, have a very complex conjugation which arises from Sindarin's phonological history.

Basic verbs form infinitives by adding ''-i'' to the stem: ''firi'' from ''fir-''. For this reason, basic verbs are also known as "I-verbs". This ending causes an ''a'' or ''o'' in the stem to umlaut to ''e'': ''ceri'' from ''car-''. But Sindarin does not have much use for infinitive forms, it rather uses the gerund to achieve the same meaning by suffixing ''-ed'': ''fired'', ''cared''.

For all persons except the third person singular, the aorist/present tense is formed by the insertion of ''-i'' between the stem and the pronominal suffixes: ''firin'', ''firir''. As with the infinitive, ''-i'' causes an ''a'' or ''o'' in the stem to umlaut to ''e'': ''cerin'', ''cerir'', from ''car-''. The third person singular, because it has a zero-ending, does not require the insertion of ''-i''. This leaves the bare stem, which causes the stem vowel to become long as with most monosyllabic words: ''fîr'', ''câr''.

The past tense formation of basic verbs have some of the most complex rules due to Sindarin's phonological history. There are two (non-interchangeable) methods of conjugation for certain forms of verbs. Those whose final consonants are B, D, G, (ancient P, T, K,) employ what is called the Nasal Infixion method, while the rest employs Vowel Lengthening. Both methods also include augmentation of the stem, which duplicates the base vowel by adding it to the beginning of verbs.

* An example to Nasal Infixion: †''mat-'' (the ancient form of ''mad-'' "to eat") becomes †''amat-'' with the augmentation of the base vowel, and †''amante'' with the infixion of ''-ne''. This yields ''avant'', ''avanne-'' in modern Sindarin (note the mutation of ''m'' to ''v'' due to lenition). Here ''avant'' means "(he/she/it) ate", and ''avannen'', ''avanner'' mean "I ate", "they ate".
** After infixion, final ''b'' becomes '''-mp''' & '''-mme-'''; final ''d'' becomes '''-nt''' & '''-nne-''' (as in the example); final ''g'' becomes '''-nc''' & '''-nge-'''.
* An example to Vowel Lengthening: †''kar-'' (in modern orthography ''car-'' "to do, make") becomes †''akar-'' with augmentation and ''akāre-'' with lengthening. Due to Sindarin's complex phonological history, ancient long ''a'' becomes ''o'' in polysyllabic forms, which yields ''agor'', ''agóre-'' in modern Sindarin (note the lenition of ''c'' to ''g''). Here ''agor'' means "(he/she/it) did", and ''agóren'', ''agórer'' mean "I did", "they did".
** After lengthening, ''a'' becomes '''o/ó''' (as in the example); ''e'' becomes '''i/í'''; ''i'' becomes '''i/í'''; ''o'' becomes '''u/ú'''; ''y'' becomes '''u/ú''' (''*ýl-'' > ''uiul'', ''uiúle-'').

The future tense is formed by the addition of ''-atha(-)''. As with derived verbs, the final ''a'' becomes ''o'' with the addition of pronominal suffixes with the exceptions of first person plural inclusive ''-(a)b'', and third person plural ''-(a)r'': ''carathon'', ''carathar''.

The imperative is formed with the addition of ''-o'' to the stem: ''caro!'', ''mado!''.

==== Derived Verbs ====
Derived verbs have a much less complex conjugation because they have a thematic vowel ''a'', thus they are also known as "A-verbs".

The infinitive is formed with ''-o'', which replaces the ''-a'' of the stem, e.g. ''lasto'' from ''lasta-''. As this is not used, the gerund is formed with the addition of ''-(a)d'' to the stem: ''lastad''.

The aorist/present tense is formed without modification to the stem. The final ''a'' becomes ''o'' with the addition of pronominal suffixes (except ''-(a)b'' & ''-(a)r''): ''lasta'', ''laston'' from ''lasta-''.

The past tense is formed with the ending ''-nt'', which becomes ''-nne-'' with pronominal suffixes: ''lastant'', ''lastanner'' from ''lasta-''.

The future tense is formed with ''-atha(-)''. As with the aorist/present tense, the final ''a'' becomes ''o'' with the addition of pronominal suffixes: ''lastatha'', ''lastathon''.

The imperative form is identical to the infinitive: ''lasto!''.

== Dialects ==
During the [[First Age]] there were several dialects of Sindarin:
*''[[Doriathrin]]'' or the language of [[Doriath]], a form of the language which preserved many archaic forms;
*''[[Falathrin]]'' or the language of the [[Falas]], later also spoken in [[Nargothrond]];
*''[[North Sindarin]]'', the dialects originally spoken in [[Dorthonion]] and [[Hithlum]] by the Sindar, these dialects contained many unique words and were not fully intelligible with the Sindarin of [[Beleriand]] proper.

With the exception of Doriathrin, the dialects were changed under Noldorin influence, and adopted many [[Quenya]] features, as well as unique sound changes devised by the Noldor (who loved changing languages). The distinct dialects disappeared after the Noldor and Sindar were dispersed during the later [[Battles of Beleriand]]. In the refuges on the [[Isle of Balar]] and the [[Mouths of Sirion]] a new dialect arose under the refugees, which mainly took after Falathrin. During the [[Second Age]] and [[Third Age]] Sindarin was a ''lingua franca'' for all Elves and their friends, until it was displaced as the [[Westron|Common Tongue]] by [[Westron]], a descendant of [[Adûnaic]] which was heavily influenced by Sindarin.

''Sindarin'' is actually a Quenya term. No Sindarin word for Sindarin is known, but usually the term '''''Edhellen''''' ("Elvish") is used in [[Neo-Sindarin]].

==Etymology==

The word '''Sindarin''' itself is actually a [[Quenya]] word given by the [[Noldor]]in Exiles. It is pronounced {{IPA|[ˈsindarin]}}.

==Names==

Sindarin is the language referred to as "the '''Elven-tongue'''" in ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]''.

In a letter, [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] referred to Sindarin as '''Grey Elvish'''.<ref>{{L|230}}</ref> In another manuscript he used the similar name '''Grey-elven'''.<ref>{{PE|17}}, p. 127</ref>

==Inspiration==

Tolkien originally imagined that the language which would become ''Sindarin'' was spoken by the Noldor. However, Tolkien later decided that it was the language of the Sindar. For this reason it is called "[[Noldorin]]" in the older material, such as the ''[[The Etymologies|Etymologies]]''. When Noldorin became Sindarin, it also adopted some features of the originally unrelated language ''[[Ilkorin]]''. Tolkien based the sound and some of the grammar of his Noldorin/Sindarin on [[Welsh]], and Sindarin displays of the consonant mutations that characterise the Celtic (especially Brythonic) languages. The language was also probably influenced to an extent by the Germanic languages, as Tolkien was a scholar of both [[Old English]] and [[Old Norse]].

== External Links ==
*[http://www.uib.no/People/hnohf/sindarin.htm Sindarin – ''The Noble Tongue''], by [[Helge Kåre Fauskanger]]
*[http://www.jrrvf.com/hisweloke/sindar/ Hiswelókë's Sindarin Dictionary]
*[http://sindarin.weet.us/ I Lam Arth - The Noble Tongue], a technical study of Sindarin
*[http://www.jrrvf.com/~glaemscrafu/english/sindarin.html Sindarin sound samples] at [[Glǽmscrafu]]
{{references}}
{{languages}}
[[Category:Sindarin| ]]
[[Category:Quenya adjectives]]
[[Category:Quenya nouns]]
[[de:Sindarin]]
[[fi:Sindar (kieli)]]
[[fr:encyclo:langues:sindarin]]

Sindarin

2019-04-01T06:38:01Z

Elaran: Temporary replacement for the outdated pronouns section, further information to be added soon.

{{rewrite}}
''(See also [[:Category:Sindarin words|Sindarin words]])''

'''Sindarin''' was the [[Elvish]] language most commonly spoken in [[Middle-earth]] in the [[Third Age]].
==History==
Sindarin was the language of the [[Sindar]], those [[Teleri]] which had been left behind on the [[Great Journey]] of the [[Elves]]. It was derived from an earlier language called [[Common Telerin]]. When the [[Noldor]] came back to Middle-earth, they adopted the Sindarin language, although they believed their native [[Quenya]] more beautiful. Before the downfall, most of the [[Men]] of [[Númenor]] also knew the language, though the common language there was [[Adûnaic]]. Knowledge of it was kept in the [[Númenóreans|Númenórean]] realms-in-exile [[Arnor]] and [[Gondor]], especially amongst the learned. While [[Westron]] (descended from Adûnaic) became the most common language in Middle-earth during the [[Third Age]], Sindarin remained the everyday language of Elves and [[Rangers of the North|Rangers]].

Sindarin became the language of the Noldor because of the command of King [[Thingol|Elu Thingol]] of [[Doriath]]. Upon learning of the [[Kinslaying at Alqualondë]], he declared that [[Quenya]], the language of the Noldor, should be prohibited in his lands. As the Noldor were dwelling in a Sindarin-speaking land, and because of the decree of Thingol though it did not directly affect them, they gradually switched entirely to Sindarin. Their names were also changed to Sindarin, such as ''Finwë-Ñolofinwë'' to [[Fingolfin]], and ''Turukáno'' to [[Turgon]].

When the [[Elves of Beleriand]] first encountered the dwarves, they could not understand a word of the [[Khuzdul|tongue of the Dwarves]]. Dwarves were swift to learn and indeed were more willing to learn Sindarin than to teach their own to those of alien race.<ref>{{S|10}}</ref>

The written script alphabet of the Elven languages is typically '''[[Tengwar]]''', although '''[[Cirth]]''' (itself originally intended specifically for Sindarin) can also be used.

== Grammar ==
Sindarin is mainly analytic, though traits of its highly inflected progenitor can still be seen.

=== Phonology ===
Sindarin was designed to have a [[Welsh]]-like phonology. It has most of the same sounds and similar phonotactics.

{| rules="all" style="text-align:center; border:1px solid darkgrey; border-collapse:collapse" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0"
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Letter'''
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''[[wikipedia:IPA|IPA]]'''
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Example'''
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Notes'''
|-
| a, ä || {{IPA|a}} || [[Aragorn|'''A'''r'''a'''gorn]] || Sindarin ''a'' is most like ''a'' in English ''father'' or ''a'' in Spanish ''mambo''. Either pronunciation is suitable.
|-
| á || {{IPA|aː}} ||   || Sindarin ''á'' is pronounced just noticeably longer in duration than Sindarin ''a'', but otherwise is pronounced the same.
|-
| â || {{IPA|aːː}} ||   || Sindarin ''â'' is pronounced for an even longer duration than Sindarin ''á'', usually in single-syllable words. But it is permissible to pronounce it the same as ''á''.
|-
| ae || {{IPA|a͡ɛ}} || [[Maedhros|M'''ae'''dhros]] || Similar to ''ai'', but ends at a ''more'' open vowel height.
|-
| ai || {{IPA|a͡ɪ}} || [[Edain|Ed'''ai'''n]] || Sindarin ''ai'' is most like ''i'' in English ''time''. ''ae'' is similar to ''ai'', but ''ai'' ends at a ''less'' open vowel height. J.R.R. Tolkien said that ''ae'' and ''ai'' can be pronounced the same if a person cannot tell the difference between them.
|-
| au, aw || {{IPA|a͡ʊ}} || [[Glaurung|Gl'''au'''rung]]; [[Oromë#Etymology|Ar'''aw''']] || Sindarin ''au'' is most like ''ou'' in English ''thousand'' or like ''ow'' in English ''cow''. It is never pronounced like ''au'' in English ''cause'' or like ''aw'' in English ''law''. The spellings ''au'' and ''aw'' are the same sound, but ''aw'' is preferred at the ends of words, as in ''[[Oromë#Etymology|Araw]]''.
|-
| b || {{IPA|b}} || [[Beleriand|'''B'''eleriand]] ||  
|-
| c || {{IPA|k}} || [[Celeborn|'''C'''eleborn]] || Always hard ''c'' like in English ''cake''. Never soft ''c'' like in English ''cell''.
|-
| ch || {{IPA|x}} || [[orch|or'''ch''']] || Always like ''ch'' in Scottish ''loch''. Never like ''ch'' in English ''chair''.
|-
| d || {{IPA|d}} || [[Dúnedain|'''D'''úne'''d'''ain]] ||  
|-
| dh || {{IPA|ð}} || [[Caradhras|Cara'''dh'''ras]] || Sindarin ''dh'' is most like ''th'' in English ''the''. It is not pronounced like normal ''d''.
|-
| e, ë || {{IPA|ɛ}} || [[Beren|B'''e'''r'''e'''n]] || Sindarin ''e'' is most like ''e'' in English ''get'' or ''e'' in Spanish ''comprende''. Either pronunciation is suitable, but it ''never'' has a ''y'' off-glide like in English ''grey''.
|-
| é || {{IPA|eː}} ||   || Sindarin ''é'' is pronounced just noticeably longer in duration than Sindarin ''e'', but otherwise is pronounced the same.
|-
| ê || {{IPA|eːː}} ||   || Sindarin ''ê'' is pronounced for an even longer duration than Sindarin ''é'', usually in single-syllable words. But it is permissible to pronounce it the same as ''é''.
|-
| ei || {{IPA|ɛ͡ɪ}} || [[Gil-galad|Er'''ei'''nion]] || Sindarin ''ei'' is most like ''ey'' in English ''grey'', always with the ''y'' off-glide.
|-
| f || {{IPA|f, v}} || [[Fëanor|'''F'''ëanor]] || Represents {{IPA|[v]}} when final or before ''n'', and {{IPA|[f]}} everywhere else.
|-
| g || {{IPA|ɡ}} || [[Galadriel|'''G'''aladriel]] || Always hard ''g'' like in English ''gasp''. Never soft ''g'' like in English ''gem''.
|-
| h || {{IPA|h}} || [[Húrin|'''H'''úrin]] ||  
|-
| hw || {{IPA|ʍ}} ||   || Sindarin ''hw'' is most like the traditional pronunciation of ''wh'' in English ''whale'', as it is still heard in Scotland, Ireland and parts of the southern United States. It is also similar to ''ju'' in Mexican Spanish ''Juan''. It is never pronounced like ordinary ''w'' in English ''wail''. If nothing else works, try pronouncing ''w'' while whispering.
|-
| i || {{IPA|ɪ, j}} || [[Minas Tirith|M'''i'''nas T'''i'''r'''i'''th]] || Sindarin ''i'' is usually pronounced as the ''i'' in ''sick''. But sometimes Sindarin ''i'' is more like ''y'' in English ''young''—it is this way at the beginning of a word before a vowel, and in certain unstressed syllables before vowels. (For instance, ''[[Doriath]]'' is a compound of ''[[dôr]]+[[iath]]'', where ''[[iath]]'' is just one syllable.)
|-
| í || {{IPA|iː}} || [[Círdan|C'''í'''rdan]] || Sindarin ''í'' is pronounced noticeably longer in duration than Sindarin ''i'', and has a different quality. Sindarin ''í'' is most like ''i'' in English ''ink'' or like ''i'' in Spanish ''gringo''. Either pronunciation is suitable.
|-
| î || {{IPA|iːː}} || [[Gwîr|Gw'''î'''r]] || Sindarin ''î'' is pronounced for an even longer duration than Sindarin ''í'', usually in single-syllable words. But it is permissible to pronounce it the same as ''í''.
|-
| l || {{IPA|l}} || [[Legolas|'''L'''ego'''l'''as]] ||  
|-
| lh || {{IPA|ɬ}} || [[Lhûn|Lh'''û'''n]] || There is no parallel for Sindarin ''lh'' in English. But it is like ''ll'' in [[Welsh]] or ''ł'' in Navajo, or [[Quenya]] ''hl''. More specifically, it is a ''voiceless alveolar lateral'', like ''s'' when spoken in a lateral lisp. If nothing else works, try pronouncing ''l'' while whispering.
|-
| ll || {{IPA|lː}} || [[mellon|me'''ll'''on]] || Sindarin ''ll'' is pronounced for an even longer duration than Sindarin ''l'', but otherwise is pronounced the same.
|-
| m || {{IPA|m}} || [[Mordor|'''M'''ordor]] ||  
|-
| mh || {{IPA|ṽ}} ||   || An Archaic Sindarin sound, a "spirant" ''m'', just like Gaelic ''mh''. This sound became the same as ''v'' since at least the First Age, and ''mh'' as a spirant ''m'' does not appear even in [[The Silmarillion]]-style Sindarin spellings, so that spellings like ''[[Tinúviel]]'' are preferred over ''*Tinúmhiel''. Suffice it to say that this spelling of ''mh'' is not used in [[Lord of the Rings]]-style [[Third Age]] Sindarin either.
|-
| mm || {{IPA|mː}} || [[Rammas Echor|Ra'''mm'''as]] || Sindarin ''mm'' is pronounced for an even longer duration than Sindarin ''m'', but otherwise is pronounced the same.
|-
| n || {{IPA|n}} || [[Nevrast|'''N'''evrast]] ||  
|-
| nc || {{IPA|ŋk}} || [[Orthanc|Ortha'''nc''']] || Like ''nk'' in English ''think''.
|-
| ng || {{IPA|ŋ(ɡ)}} || [[Fingolfin|Fi'''ng'''olfin]]; [[Glamdring|Glamdri'''ng''']] || Represents {{IPA|[ŋɡ]}} between two vowels (like ''ng'' in English ''finger''), and {{IPA|[ŋ]}} everywhere else (like ''ng'' in English ''singer''). It is never pronounced like ''ng'' in English ''ginger''.
|-
| nn || {{IPA|nː}} || [[Pelennor|Pele'''nn'''or]] || Sindarin ''nn'' is pronounced for an even longer duration than Sindarin ''n'', but otherwise is pronounced the same.
|-
| o, ö || {{IPA|ɔ}} || [[Gorgoroth|G'''o'''rg'''o'''r'''o'''th]] || Sindarin ''o'' is most like ''o'' in English ''hot'', but with rounder lips. It can also be pronounced like the ''o'' in the Italian word ''notte''. Either pronunciation is suitable, but it ''never'' has a ''w'' off-glide like ''ow'' in English ''show''.
|-
| ó || {{IPA|ɔː}} || [[Dor-lómin|Dor-l'''ó'''min]] || Sindarin ''ó'' is pronounced just noticeably longer in duration than Sindarin ''o'', but otherwise is pronounced the same.
|-
| ô || {{IPA|ɔːː}} ||   || Sindarin ''ô'' is pronounced for an even longer duration than Sindarin ''ó'', usually in single-syllable words. But it is permissible to pronounce it the same as ''ó''.
|-
| oe || {{IPA|o͡e}} ||   || Sindarin ''oe'' is somewhat like ''oi'' in English ''join''. Though this is not ''completely'' accurate because ''oe'' ends with an off-glide that sounds like Sindarin ''e'', it is a suitable pronunciation because there is no Sindarin ''oi'' to contrast with. Alternately, ''oe'' is like ''oe'' in Hawaiian ''Aloha ʻOe''.
|-
| œ || {{IPA|ø}} || [[Nirnaeth Arnoediad|Nírnaeth Arn'''œ'''diad]] || An Archaic Sindarin sound, at one time pronounced like French ''eu'', ''oe'' or ''oeu'' or like German/Swedish ''ö'' or like Danish/Norwegian ''ø''. In the [[Third Age]] it is pronounced just like Sindarin ''e'', so it is suitable to pronounce it like ''e''. Mostly found in [[First Age]] Sindarin words, and most famously in ''[[Nirnaeth Arnoediad|Nírnaeth Arnœdiad]]''. [[Lord of the Rings]]-style Third Age Sindarin spellings do not use ''œ'' at all, only ''e'', such as ''[[Ered Luin]]'' instead of ''*Œrœd Luin''.
|-
| p || {{IPA|p}} || [[Pengolodh|'''P'''engolodh]] ||  
|-
| ph || {{IPA|f, fː}} || [[Ephel Dúath|E'''ph'''el Dúath]] || Represents {{IPA|[f]}} when final, {{IPA|[fː]}} everywhere else.
|-
| r || {{IPA|r}} || [[Boromir|Bo'''r'''omi'''r''']] || Sindarin ''r'' is always trilled or at least flapped wherever possible, like in Scottish English. It is not pronounced like General English ''r'', but this is still often a suitable pronunciation because Sindarin has no other rhotic consonant besides ''rh''.
|-
| rh || {{IPA|r̥}} || [[Rhovanion|'''Rh'''ovanion]] || There is no parallel for Sindarin ''rh'' in English. But it is like Welsh ''rh'', or [[Quenya]] ''hr''. If nothing else works, try pronouncing ''r'' while whispering.
|-
| rr || {{IPA|rː}} ||   || Sindarin ''rr'' is pronounced for an even longer duration than Sindarin ''r'', but otherwise is pronounced the same. For this reason, ''rr'' is always trilled, because a flap ''r'' cannot be pronounced long.
|-
| s || {{IPA|s}} || [[Sirion|'''S'''irion]] || Sindarin ''s'' is always pronounced like ''s'' in English ''safe'', and never like ''s'' in English ''ease''. There is no ''z'' in Sindarin.
|-
| ss || {{IPA|sː}} || [[Ossiriand|O'''ss'''iriand]] || Sindarin ''ss'' is pronounced for an even longer duration than Sindarin ''s'', but otherwise is pronounced the same.
|-
| t || {{IPA|t}} || [[Túrin|'''T'''úrin]] ||  
|-
| th || {{IPA|θ}} || [[Ecthelion|Ec'''th'''elion]] || Sindarin ''th'' is always pronounced ''th'' in English ''think'', and never like ''th'' in English ''these''—the latter sound is used for the separate Sindarin consonant ''dh''.
|-
| u || {{IPA|ʊ}} || [[Curufin|C'''u'''r'''u'''fin]] || Sindarin ''u'' is most like ''u'' in English ''put'' or the vowel sound in the word ''good''. It is never pronounced like ''u'' in English ''gut'', or like ''u'' in English ''rude''.
|-
| ú || {{IPA|uː}} || [[Lúthien|L'''ú'''thien]] || Sindarin ''ú'' is pronounced just noticeably longer in duration than Sindarin ''u'', and has a different quality. It is pronounced like ''u'' in the English word ''dude'' or like ''u'' in Spanish ''mundo''.
|-
| û || {{IPA|uːː}} || [[Barad-dûr|Barad-d'''û'''r]] || Sindarin ''û'' is pronounced for an even longer duration than Sindarin ''ú'', usually in single-syllable words. But it is permissible to pronounce it the same as ''ú''.
|-
| ui || {{IPA|u͡ɪ}} || [[Orodruin|Orodr'''ui'''n]] || Sindarin ''ui'' is most like ''oo y'' in English ''too young'', pronounced all in one syllable. ''ui'' is always counted as one syllable, and never split into two syllables ''u i''.
|-
| v || {{IPA|v}} || [[Tinúviel|Tinú'''v'''iel]] ||  
|-
| w || {{IPA|w}} || [[Gwaihir|G'''w'''aihir]] ||  
|-
| y || {{IPA|y}} || [[Emyn Muil|Em'''y'''n Muil]] || Pronounced like the French ''u'' or the German ''ü''. It is also permissible to pronounce it like Sindarin ''i'', if at least because Sindarin ''i'' and ''y'' become pronounced the same during the [[Third Age]].
|-
| ý || {{IPA|yː}} ||   || Sindarin ''ý'' is pronounced just noticeably longer in duration than Sindarin ''y'', but otherwise is pronounced the same.
|-
| ŷ || {{IPA|yːː}} ||   || Sindarin ''ŷ'' is pronounced for an even longer duration than Sindarin ''ý'', usually in single-syllable words. But it is permissible to pronounce it the same as ''ý''.
|}

=== Nouns ===

==== Pluralization ====
Sindarin plurals are characterised by ''i-affection'', or ''umlaut'' (see also ''[[prestanneth]]'' "affection of vowels").<ref>{{L|347}}, p. 427</ref> Almost all Sindarin words form their plurals like English man/men and goose/geese — by changing the vowels in the word. The plural patterns are:

{| rules="all" style="border:1px solid darkgray; border-collapse:collapse" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0"
| align="center" bgcolor="lightgrey" colspan="2" | '''In Non-final Syllables'''
|-
| a > e || galadh > gelaidh
|-
| e > e || bereth > berith
|-
| i > i || fireb > firib
|-
| o > e || golodh > gelydh
|-
| u > y || tulus > tylys
|-
| y > y || ''(no example available)''
|-
| align="center" bgcolor="lightgrey" colspan="2" | '''In Final Syllables'''
|-
| a > ai || adan > edain
|-
| â > ai || tâl > tail
|-
| e > i || edhel > edhil
|-
| ê > î || hên > [[hîn]]
|-
| i > i || brennil > brennil
|-
| î > î || dîs > dîs
|-
| o > y || annon > ennyn
|-
| ó > ý || bór > býr
|-
| ô > ŷ || thôn > thŷn
|-
| u > y || urug > yryg
|-
| û > ui || hû > hui
|-
| y > y || ylf > ylf
|-
| ý > ý || mýl > mýl
|-
| au > oe || naug > noeg
|}

Note that ''ai'' can sometimes become ''î'' (or, less commonly, ''ý'').

The reason for this is that the primitive plural ending ''-î'' (still present in Quenya as ''-i'') affected the vowels in the word by making them higher and fronter. After this sound change occurred, the suffix ''-î'' disappeared when all final vowels were lost.

==== Class Plural ====
Sindarin also has several suffixes which denote a so-called class plural. For example, ''-ath'' indicates a group of something, e.g. ''elenath'' from ''[[elen]]'' (an archaic form of ''êl''), meaning "star" and ''-ath''. It means "a group of stars" or "all the stars in the sky". Another ending, ''-rim'', is used to indicate a race, e.g. ''nogothrim'' from ''nogoth'' — "dwarf" and ''-rim'', meaning "the race of dwarves". The ending ''-hoth'' is generally used in an unfriendly sense, e.g. ''gaurhoth'' from ''gaur'' — "werewolf" and ''-hoth'', meaning "werewolf-host".

=== Mutation ===
Sindarin has a complex series of mutations. There are three main different types of mutations: ''soft mutation'' (or lenition), ''nasal mutation'' and ''stop'' (occlusive) ''mutation''. Additionaly, a ''mixed mutation'' is also observed after certain particles or prepositions. Finally, it is presumed that Sindarin also once had what we could call an ''archaic spirantal mutation'' (also sometimes called ''liquid mutation'' by scholars). It is still uncertain whether this mutation is still productive or if it only occurs in ancient constructs.

Initial mutations must not be confused with assimilations that may occur in compound words (such as, for instance, in the names ''[[Araphor]]'', ''[[Arassuil]]'', and ''[[Caradhras]]'').

The following table outlines how different consonants are affected by the different mutations:

{| rules="all" style="border:1px solid darkgrey; border-collapse:collapse" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0"
|-
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Basic'''
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Soft'''
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Nasal'''
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Mixed'''
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Stop'''
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Liquid'''
|-
| b || v || m || b || b || v
|-
| c || g || ch || g || ch || ch
|-
| d || dh || n || d || d || dh
|-
| g || ' || ng || g || g || '
|-
| h || ch || ch || h || ch || ch
|-
| lh || thl || 'l || 'l || thl || 'l
|-
| m || v || m || m || m || v
|-
| p || b || ph || b || b || ph
|-
| rh || thr || 'r || 'r || thr || 'r
|-
| s || h || s || h || s || s
|-
| t || d || th || d || th || th
|}

Here the apostrophe indicates elision.

Words beginning in ''b-'', ''d-'', or ''g-'' which descend from older ''mb-'', ''nd-'', or ''ng-'' are affected differently by the mutations:

{| rules="all" style="border:1px solid darkgrey; border-collapse:collapse" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0"
|-
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Basic'''
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Soft'''
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Nasal'''
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Mixed'''
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Stop'''
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Liquid'''
|-
| b || m || mb || mb || mb || b
|-
| d || n || nd || nd || nd || d
|-
| g || ng || g || g || g || g
|}

Take, for example, the deictic article ''i'', which triggers soft mutation. When added to a word like ''[[tâl]]'', it becomes ''i dâl''. In Sindarin's phonological history, ''t'' became ''d'' in the middle of a word. Because ''i tâl'' at the time was considered one word, the ''t'' became ''d'', and thus ''i dâl''. However, without the article the word is still ''tâl''.

Mutation is triggered in various ways:
* Soft mutation, the most widely occurring mutation, is triggered by the singular article ''i'', the prefixes ''athra-, ath-, [[go-]], [[go-|gwa-]], ú-,'' and ''u-'', as well as the prepositions ''ab, am, adel, be, dad, di, na, nu,'' and ''î'', and after ''avo''. It also affects the second element in a compound, an adjective following a noun, and the object of a verb.
* Nasal mutation is triggered by the plural article ''in'', and the prepositions ''an, dan,'' and plural '''nin''.
* Mixed mutation is triggered by the genitive article ''en'', and the prepositions ''ben, erin, nan, 'nin,'' and ''uin''.
* Stop mutation is triggered by the prepositions ''ed, ned,'' and ''o(d)''.
* Liquid mutation is presumably triggered by the preposition ''or''.

=== Pronouns ===
Pronouns are perhaps the most poorly attested feature of Sindarin. What has been reconstructed by the comparative method is largely conjectural and is not agreed upon, and therefore will not be addressed in this article.

Sindarin pronouns, like those in English, still maintain some case distinction. Sindarin pronouns have nominative, accusative, genitive, and dative forms.

{| rules="all" style="border:1px solid darkgrey; border-collapse:collapse" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0"
| rowspan="2" |
| align="center" bgcolor="gray" colspan="2" | '''First Person'''
| bgcolor="gray" |
| align="center" bgcolor="gray" colspan="2" | '''Second Person'''
| bgcolor="gray" |
| align="center" bgcolor="gray" colspan="2" | '''Third Person'''
|-
| align="center" bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Singular'''
| align="center" bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Plural'''
| bgcolor="lightgrey" |
| align="center" bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Singular'''
| align="center" bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Plural'''
| bgcolor="lightgrey" |
| align="center" bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Singular'''
| align="center" bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Plural'''
|-
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Nominative'''
| *ni || *me, *pe (incl.)
| bgcolor="lightgrey" |
| ci, le (form.) || de
| bgcolor="lightgrey" |
| *te || ti
|-
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Accusative'''
| nin || ven, *ben
| bgcolor="lightgrey" |
| *gin, *len || *dhen
| bgcolor="lightgrey" |
| den || *din
|-
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Possessive'''
| nîn || vîn, *bîn
| bgcolor="lightgrey" |
| *gîn, lîn || *dhîn
| bgcolor="lightgrey" |
| dîn || *dîn
|-
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Dative'''
| annin || ammen, *aphen
| bgcolor="lightgrey" |
| *echin, *allen || *annen
| bgcolor="lightgrey" |
| *athen || *ethin
|-
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Enclitic'''
| -(o)n || -(o)f, -(a)b
| bgcolor="lightgrey" |
| -(o)g, -(o)l || -(o)dh
| bgcolor="lightgrey" |
| ◌̂ / -(a) || -(a)r
|}

=== Verbs ===
Sindarin verbs are also quite complex. The number of attested verbs in Sindarin is small, although recent publications clarify most details of conjugation. There are two main types of verbs: ''basic'' and ''derived''. Basic verbs have stems which end in a consonant, and derived verbs have stems which incorporate some sort derivational morpheme (such as a causative ending) which ends in ''-a''.

==== Basic Verbs ====
Basic verbs, though smaller in number than derived verbs, have a very complex conjugation which arises from Sindarin's phonological history.

Basic verbs form infinitives by adding ''-i'' to the stem: ''firi'' from ''fir-''. For this reason, basic verbs are also known as "I-verbs". This ending causes an ''a'' or ''o'' in the stem to umlaut to ''e'': ''ceri'' from ''car-''. But Sindarin does not have much use for infinitive forms, it rather uses the gerund to achieve the same meaning by suffixing ''-ed'': ''fired'', ''cared''.

For all persons except the third person singular, the aorist/present tense is formed by the insertion of ''-i'' between the stem and the pronominal suffixes: ''firin'', ''firir''. As with the infinitive, ''-i'' causes an ''a'' or ''o'' in the stem to umlaut to ''e'': ''cerin'', ''cerir'', from ''car-''. The third person singular, because it has a zero-ending, does not require the insertion of ''-i''. This leaves the bare stem, which causes the stem vowel to become long as with most monosyllabic words: ''fîr'', ''câr''.

The past tense formation of basic verbs have some of the most complex rules due to Sindarin's phonological history. There are two (non-interchangeable) methods of conjugation for certain forms of verbs. Those whose final consonants are B, D, G, (ancient P, T, K,) employ what is called the Nasal Infixion method, while the rest employs Vowel Lengthening. Both methods also include augmentation of the stem, which duplicates the base vowel by adding it to the beginning of verbs.

* An example to Nasal Infixion: †''mat-'' (the ancient form of ''mad-'' "to eat") becomes †''amat-'' with the augmentation of the base vowel, and †''amante'' with the infixion of ''-ne''. This yields ''avant'', ''avanne-'' in modern Sindarin (note the mutation of ''m'' to ''v'' due to lenition). Here ''avant'' means "(he/she/it) ate", and ''avannen'', ''avanner'' mean "I ate", "they ate".
** After infixion, final ''b'' becomes '''-mp''' & '''-mme-'''; final ''d'' becomes '''-nt''' & '''-nne-''' (as in the example); final ''g'' becomes '''-nc''' & '''-nge-'''.
* An example to Vowel Lengthening: †''kar-'' (in modern orthography ''car-'' "to do, make") becomes †''akar-'' with augmentation and ''akāre-'' with lengthening. Due to Sindarin's complex phonological history, ancient long ''a'' becomes ''o'' in polysyllabic forms, which yields ''agor'', ''agóre-'' in modern Sindarin (note the lenition of ''c'' to ''g''). Here ''agor'' means "(he/she/it) did", and ''agóren'', ''agórer'' mean "I did", "they did".
** After lengthening, ''a'' becomes '''o/ó''' (as in the example); ''e'' becomes '''i/í'''; ''i'' becomes '''i/í'''; ''o'' becomes '''u/ú'''; ''y'' becomes '''u/ú''' (''*ýl-'' > ''uiul'', ''uiúle-'').

The future tense is formed by the addition of ''-atha(-)''. As with derived verbs, the final ''a'' becomes ''o'' with the addition of pronominal suffixes with the exceptions of first person plural inclusive ''-(a)b'', and third person plural ''-(a)r'': ''carathon'', ''carathar''.

The imperative is formed with the addition of ''-o'' to the stem: ''caro!'', ''mado!''.

==== Derived Verbs ====
Derived verbs have a much less complex conjugation because they have a thematic vowel ''a'', thus they are also known as "A-verbs".

The infinitive is formed with ''-o'', which replaces the ''-a'' of the stem, e.g. ''lasto'' from ''lasta-''. As this is not used, the gerund is formed with the addition of ''-(a)d'' to the stem: ''lastad''.

The aorist/present tense is formed without modification to the stem. The final ''a'' becomes ''o'' with the addition of pronominal suffixes (except ''-(a)b'' & ''-(a)r''): ''lasta'', ''laston'' from ''lasta-''.

The past tense is formed with the ending ''-nt'', which becomes ''-nne-'' with pronominal suffixes: ''lastant'', ''lastanner'' from ''lasta-''.

The future tense is formed with ''-atha(-)''. As with the aorist/present tense, the final ''a'' becomes ''o'' with the addition of pronominal suffixes: ''lastatha'', ''lastathon''.

The imperative form is identical to the infinitive: ''lasto!''.

== Dialects ==
During the [[First Age]] there were several dialects of Sindarin:
*''[[Doriathrin]]'' or the language of [[Doriath]], a form of the language which preserved many archaic forms;
*''[[Falathrin]]'' or the language of the [[Falas]], later also spoken in [[Nargothrond]];
*''[[North Sindarin]]'', the dialects originally spoken in [[Dorthonion]] and [[Hithlum]] by the Sindar, these dialects contained many unique words and were not fully intelligible with the Sindarin of [[Beleriand]] proper.

With the exception of Doriathrin, the dialects were changed under Noldorin influence, and adopted many [[Quenya]] features, as well as unique sound changes devised by the Noldor (who loved changing languages). The distinct dialects disappeared after the Noldor and Sindar were dispersed during the later [[Battles of Beleriand]]. In the refuges on the [[Isle of Balar]] and the [[Mouths of Sirion]] a new dialect arose under the refugees, which mainly took after Falathrin. During the [[Second Age]] and [[Third Age]] Sindarin was a ''lingua franca'' for all Elves and their friends, until it was displaced as the [[Westron|Common Tongue]] by [[Westron]], a descendant of [[Adûnaic]] which was heavily influenced by Sindarin.

''Sindarin'' is actually a Quenya term. No Sindarin word for Sindarin is known, but usually the term '''''Edhellen''''' ("Elvish") is used in [[Neo-Sindarin]].

==Etymology==

The word '''Sindarin''' itself is actually a [[Quenya]] word given by the [[Noldor]]in Exiles. It is pronounced {{IPA|[ˈsindarin]}}.

==Names==

Sindarin is the language referred to as "the '''Elven-tongue'''" in ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]''.

In a letter, [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] referred to Sindarin as '''Grey Elvish'''.<ref>{{L|230}}</ref> In another manuscript he used the similar name '''Grey-elven'''.<ref>{{PE|17}}, p. 127</ref>

==Inspiration==

Tolkien originally imagined that the language which would become ''Sindarin'' was spoken by the Noldor. However, Tolkien later decided that it was the language of the Sindar. For this reason it is called "[[Noldorin]]" in the older material, such as the ''[[The Etymologies|Etymologies]]''. When Noldorin became Sindarin, it also adopted some features of the originally unrelated language ''[[Ilkorin]]''. Tolkien based the sound and some of the grammar of his Noldorin/Sindarin on [[Welsh]], and Sindarin displays of the consonant mutations that characterise the Celtic (especially Brythonic) languages. The language was also probably influenced to an extent by the Germanic languages, as Tolkien was a scholar of both [[Old English]] and [[Old Norse]].

== External Links ==
*[http://www.uib.no/People/hnohf/sindarin.htm Sindarin – ''The Noble Tongue''], by [[Helge Kåre Fauskanger]]
*[http://www.jrrvf.com/hisweloke/sindar/ Hiswelókë's Sindarin Dictionary]
*[http://sindarin.weet.us/ I Lam Arth - The Noble Tongue], a technical study of Sindarin
*[http://www.jrrvf.com/~glaemscrafu/english/sindarin.html Sindarin sound samples] at [[Glǽmscrafu]]
{{references}}
{{languages}}
[[Category:Sindarin| ]]
[[Category:Quenya adjectives]]
[[Category:Quenya nouns]]
[[de:Sindarin]]
[[fi:Sindar (kieli)]]
[[fr:encyclo:langues:sindarin]]

Sindarin

2019-03-28T21:20:04Z

Elaran: Replacing the outdated Neo-Sindarin parts of the verbs section with recently attested information.

{{rewrite}}
''(See also [[:Category:Sindarin words|Sindarin words]])''

'''Sindarin''' was the [[Elvish]] language most commonly spoken in [[Middle-earth]] in the [[Third Age]].
==History==
Sindarin was the language of the [[Sindar]], those [[Teleri]] which had been left behind on the [[Great Journey]] of the [[Elves]]. It was derived from an earlier language called [[Common Telerin]]. When the [[Noldor]] came back to Middle-earth, they adopted the Sindarin language, although they believed their native [[Quenya]] more beautiful. Before the downfall, most of the [[Men]] of [[Númenor]] also knew the language, though the common language there was [[Adûnaic]]. Knowledge of it was kept in the [[Númenóreans|Númenórean]] realms-in-exile [[Arnor]] and [[Gondor]], especially amongst the learned. While [[Westron]] (descended from Adûnaic) became the most common language in Middle-earth during the [[Third Age]], Sindarin remained the everyday language of Elves and [[Rangers of the North|Rangers]].

Sindarin became the language of the Noldor because of the command of King [[Thingol|Elu Thingol]] of [[Doriath]]. Upon learning of the [[Kinslaying at Alqualondë]], he declared that [[Quenya]], the language of the Noldor, should be prohibited in his lands. As the Noldor were dwelling in a Sindarin-speaking land, and because of the decree of Thingol though it did not directly affect them, they gradually switched entirely to Sindarin. Their names were also changed to Sindarin, such as ''Finwë-Ñolofinwë'' to [[Fingolfin]], and ''Turukáno'' to [[Turgon]].

When the [[Elves of Beleriand]] first encountered the dwarves, they could not understand a word of the [[Khuzdul|tongue of the Dwarves]]. Dwarves were swift to learn and indeed were more willing to learn Sindarin than to teach their own to those of alien race.<ref>{{S|10}}</ref>

The written script alphabet of the Elven languages is typically '''[[Tengwar]]''', although '''[[Cirth]]''' (itself originally intended specifically for Sindarin) can also be used.

== Grammar ==
Sindarin is mainly analytic, though traits of its highly inflected progenitor can still be seen.

=== Phonology ===
Sindarin was designed to have a [[Welsh]]-like phonology. It has most of the same sounds and similar phonotactics.

{| rules="all" style="text-align:center; border:1px solid darkgrey; border-collapse:collapse" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0"
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Letter'''
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''[[wikipedia:IPA|IPA]]'''
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Example'''
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Notes'''
|-
| a, ä || {{IPA|a}} || [[Aragorn|'''A'''r'''a'''gorn]] || Sindarin ''a'' is most like ''a'' in English ''father'' or ''a'' in Spanish ''mambo''. Either pronunciation is suitable.
|-
| á || {{IPA|aː}} ||   || Sindarin ''á'' is pronounced just noticeably longer in duration than Sindarin ''a'', but otherwise is pronounced the same.
|-
| â || {{IPA|aːː}} ||   || Sindarin ''â'' is pronounced for an even longer duration than Sindarin ''á'', usually in single-syllable words. But it is permissible to pronounce it the same as ''á''.
|-
| ae || {{IPA|a͡ɛ}} || [[Maedhros|M'''ae'''dhros]] || Similar to ''ai'', but ends at a ''more'' open vowel height.
|-
| ai || {{IPA|a͡ɪ}} || [[Edain|Ed'''ai'''n]] || Sindarin ''ai'' is most like ''i'' in English ''time''. ''ae'' is similar to ''ai'', but ''ai'' ends at a ''less'' open vowel height. J.R.R. Tolkien said that ''ae'' and ''ai'' can be pronounced the same if a person cannot tell the difference between them.
|-
| au, aw || {{IPA|a͡ʊ}} || [[Glaurung|Gl'''au'''rung]]; [[Oromë#Etymology|Ar'''aw''']] || Sindarin ''au'' is most like ''ou'' in English ''thousand'' or like ''ow'' in English ''cow''. It is never pronounced like ''au'' in English ''cause'' or like ''aw'' in English ''law''. The spellings ''au'' and ''aw'' are the same sound, but ''aw'' is preferred at the ends of words, as in ''[[Oromë#Etymology|Araw]]''.
|-
| b || {{IPA|b}} || [[Beleriand|'''B'''eleriand]] ||  
|-
| c || {{IPA|k}} || [[Celeborn|'''C'''eleborn]] || Always hard ''c'' like in English ''cake''. Never soft ''c'' like in English ''cell''.
|-
| ch || {{IPA|x}} || [[orch|or'''ch''']] || Always like ''ch'' in Scottish ''loch''. Never like ''ch'' in English ''chair''.
|-
| d || {{IPA|d}} || [[Dúnedain|'''D'''úne'''d'''ain]] ||  
|-
| dh || {{IPA|ð}} || [[Caradhras|Cara'''dh'''ras]] || Sindarin ''dh'' is most like ''th'' in English ''the''. It is not pronounced like normal ''d''.
|-
| e, ë || {{IPA|ɛ}} || [[Beren|B'''e'''r'''e'''n]] || Sindarin ''e'' is most like ''e'' in English ''get'' or ''e'' in Spanish ''comprende''. Either pronunciation is suitable, but it ''never'' has a ''y'' off-glide like in English ''grey''.
|-
| é || {{IPA|eː}} ||   || Sindarin ''é'' is pronounced just noticeably longer in duration than Sindarin ''e'', but otherwise is pronounced the same.
|-
| ê || {{IPA|eːː}} ||   || Sindarin ''ê'' is pronounced for an even longer duration than Sindarin ''é'', usually in single-syllable words. But it is permissible to pronounce it the same as ''é''.
|-
| ei || {{IPA|ɛ͡ɪ}} || [[Gil-galad|Er'''ei'''nion]] || Sindarin ''ei'' is most like ''ey'' in English ''grey'', always with the ''y'' off-glide.
|-
| f || {{IPA|f, v}} || [[Fëanor|'''F'''ëanor]] || Represents {{IPA|[v]}} when final or before ''n'', and {{IPA|[f]}} everywhere else.
|-
| g || {{IPA|ɡ}} || [[Galadriel|'''G'''aladriel]] || Always hard ''g'' like in English ''gasp''. Never soft ''g'' like in English ''gem''.
|-
| h || {{IPA|h}} || [[Húrin|'''H'''úrin]] ||  
|-
| hw || {{IPA|ʍ}} ||   || Sindarin ''hw'' is most like the traditional pronunciation of ''wh'' in English ''whale'', as it is still heard in Scotland, Ireland and parts of the southern United States. It is also similar to ''ju'' in Mexican Spanish ''Juan''. It is never pronounced like ordinary ''w'' in English ''wail''. If nothing else works, try pronouncing ''w'' while whispering.
|-
| i || {{IPA|ɪ, j}} || [[Minas Tirith|M'''i'''nas T'''i'''r'''i'''th]] || Sindarin ''i'' is usually pronounced as the ''i'' in ''sick''. But sometimes Sindarin ''i'' is more like ''y'' in English ''young''—it is this way at the beginning of a word before a vowel, and in certain unstressed syllables before vowels. (For instance, ''[[Doriath]]'' is a compound of ''[[dôr]]+[[iath]]'', where ''[[iath]]'' is just one syllable.)
|-
| í || {{IPA|iː}} || [[Círdan|C'''í'''rdan]] || Sindarin ''í'' is pronounced noticeably longer in duration than Sindarin ''i'', and has a different quality. Sindarin ''í'' is most like ''i'' in English ''ink'' or like ''i'' in Spanish ''gringo''. Either pronunciation is suitable.
|-
| î || {{IPA|iːː}} || [[Gwîr|Gw'''î'''r]] || Sindarin ''î'' is pronounced for an even longer duration than Sindarin ''í'', usually in single-syllable words. But it is permissible to pronounce it the same as ''í''.
|-
| l || {{IPA|l}} || [[Legolas|'''L'''ego'''l'''as]] ||  
|-
| lh || {{IPA|ɬ}} || [[Lhûn|Lh'''û'''n]] || There is no parallel for Sindarin ''lh'' in English. But it is like ''ll'' in [[Welsh]] or ''ł'' in Navajo, or [[Quenya]] ''hl''. More specifically, it is a ''voiceless alveolar lateral'', like ''s'' when spoken in a lateral lisp. If nothing else works, try pronouncing ''l'' while whispering.
|-
| ll || {{IPA|lː}} || [[mellon|me'''ll'''on]] || Sindarin ''ll'' is pronounced for an even longer duration than Sindarin ''l'', but otherwise is pronounced the same.
|-
| m || {{IPA|m}} || [[Mordor|'''M'''ordor]] ||  
|-
| mh || {{IPA|ṽ}} ||   || An Archaic Sindarin sound, a "spirant" ''m'', just like Gaelic ''mh''. This sound became the same as ''v'' since at least the First Age, and ''mh'' as a spirant ''m'' does not appear even in [[The Silmarillion]]-style Sindarin spellings, so that spellings like ''[[Tinúviel]]'' are preferred over ''*Tinúmhiel''. Suffice it to say that this spelling of ''mh'' is not used in [[Lord of the Rings]]-style [[Third Age]] Sindarin either.
|-
| mm || {{IPA|mː}} || [[Rammas Echor|Ra'''mm'''as]] || Sindarin ''mm'' is pronounced for an even longer duration than Sindarin ''m'', but otherwise is pronounced the same.
|-
| n || {{IPA|n}} || [[Nevrast|'''N'''evrast]] ||  
|-
| nc || {{IPA|ŋk}} || [[Orthanc|Ortha'''nc''']] || Like ''nk'' in English ''think''.
|-
| ng || {{IPA|ŋ(ɡ)}} || [[Fingolfin|Fi'''ng'''olfin]]; [[Glamdring|Glamdri'''ng''']] || Represents {{IPA|[ŋɡ]}} between two vowels (like ''ng'' in English ''finger''), and {{IPA|[ŋ]}} everywhere else (like ''ng'' in English ''singer''). It is never pronounced like ''ng'' in English ''ginger''.
|-
| nn || {{IPA|nː}} || [[Pelennor|Pele'''nn'''or]] || Sindarin ''nn'' is pronounced for an even longer duration than Sindarin ''n'', but otherwise is pronounced the same.
|-
| o, ö || {{IPA|ɔ}} || [[Gorgoroth|G'''o'''rg'''o'''r'''o'''th]] || Sindarin ''o'' is most like ''o'' in English ''hot'', but with rounder lips. It can also be pronounced like the ''o'' in the Italian word ''notte''. Either pronunciation is suitable, but it ''never'' has a ''w'' off-glide like ''ow'' in English ''show''.
|-
| ó || {{IPA|ɔː}} || [[Dor-lómin|Dor-l'''ó'''min]] || Sindarin ''ó'' is pronounced just noticeably longer in duration than Sindarin ''o'', but otherwise is pronounced the same.
|-
| ô || {{IPA|ɔːː}} ||   || Sindarin ''ô'' is pronounced for an even longer duration than Sindarin ''ó'', usually in single-syllable words. But it is permissible to pronounce it the same as ''ó''.
|-
| oe || {{IPA|o͡e}} ||   || Sindarin ''oe'' is somewhat like ''oi'' in English ''join''. Though this is not ''completely'' accurate because ''oe'' ends with an off-glide that sounds like Sindarin ''e'', it is a suitable pronunciation because there is no Sindarin ''oi'' to contrast with. Alternately, ''oe'' is like ''oe'' in Hawaiian ''Aloha ʻOe''.
|-
| œ || {{IPA|ø}} || [[Nirnaeth Arnoediad|Nírnaeth Arn'''œ'''diad]] || An Archaic Sindarin sound, at one time pronounced like French ''eu'', ''oe'' or ''oeu'' or like German/Swedish ''ö'' or like Danish/Norwegian ''ø''. In the [[Third Age]] it is pronounced just like Sindarin ''e'', so it is suitable to pronounce it like ''e''. Mostly found in [[First Age]] Sindarin words, and most famously in ''[[Nirnaeth Arnoediad|Nírnaeth Arnœdiad]]''. [[Lord of the Rings]]-style Third Age Sindarin spellings do not use ''œ'' at all, only ''e'', such as ''[[Ered Luin]]'' instead of ''*Œrœd Luin''.
|-
| p || {{IPA|p}} || [[Pengolodh|'''P'''engolodh]] ||  
|-
| ph || {{IPA|f, fː}} || [[Ephel Dúath|E'''ph'''el Dúath]] || Represents {{IPA|[f]}} when final, {{IPA|[fː]}} everywhere else.
|-
| r || {{IPA|r}} || [[Boromir|Bo'''r'''omi'''r''']] || Sindarin ''r'' is always trilled or at least flapped wherever possible, like in Scottish English. It is not pronounced like General English ''r'', but this is still often a suitable pronunciation because Sindarin has no other rhotic consonant besides ''rh''.
|-
| rh || {{IPA|r̥}} || [[Rhovanion|'''Rh'''ovanion]] || There is no parallel for Sindarin ''rh'' in English. But it is like Welsh ''rh'', or [[Quenya]] ''hr''. If nothing else works, try pronouncing ''r'' while whispering.
|-
| rr || {{IPA|rː}} ||   || Sindarin ''rr'' is pronounced for an even longer duration than Sindarin ''r'', but otherwise is pronounced the same. For this reason, ''rr'' is always trilled, because a flap ''r'' cannot be pronounced long.
|-
| s || {{IPA|s}} || [[Sirion|'''S'''irion]] || Sindarin ''s'' is always pronounced like ''s'' in English ''safe'', and never like ''s'' in English ''ease''. There is no ''z'' in Sindarin.
|-
| ss || {{IPA|sː}} || [[Ossiriand|O'''ss'''iriand]] || Sindarin ''ss'' is pronounced for an even longer duration than Sindarin ''s'', but otherwise is pronounced the same.
|-
| t || {{IPA|t}} || [[Túrin|'''T'''úrin]] ||  
|-
| th || {{IPA|θ}} || [[Ecthelion|Ec'''th'''elion]] || Sindarin ''th'' is always pronounced ''th'' in English ''think'', and never like ''th'' in English ''these''—the latter sound is used for the separate Sindarin consonant ''dh''.
|-
| u || {{IPA|ʊ}} || [[Curufin|C'''u'''r'''u'''fin]] || Sindarin ''u'' is most like ''u'' in English ''put'' or the vowel sound in the word ''good''. It is never pronounced like ''u'' in English ''gut'', or like ''u'' in English ''rude''.
|-
| ú || {{IPA|uː}} || [[Lúthien|L'''ú'''thien]] || Sindarin ''ú'' is pronounced just noticeably longer in duration than Sindarin ''u'', and has a different quality. It is pronounced like ''u'' in the English word ''dude'' or like ''u'' in Spanish ''mundo''.
|-
| û || {{IPA|uːː}} || [[Barad-dûr|Barad-d'''û'''r]] || Sindarin ''û'' is pronounced for an even longer duration than Sindarin ''ú'', usually in single-syllable words. But it is permissible to pronounce it the same as ''ú''.
|-
| ui || {{IPA|u͡ɪ}} || [[Orodruin|Orodr'''ui'''n]] || Sindarin ''ui'' is most like ''oo y'' in English ''too young'', pronounced all in one syllable. ''ui'' is always counted as one syllable, and never split into two syllables ''u i''.
|-
| v || {{IPA|v}} || [[Tinúviel|Tinú'''v'''iel]] ||  
|-
| w || {{IPA|w}} || [[Gwaihir|G'''w'''aihir]] ||  
|-
| y || {{IPA|y}} || [[Emyn Muil|Em'''y'''n Muil]] || Pronounced like the French ''u'' or the German ''ü''. It is also permissible to pronounce it like Sindarin ''i'', if at least because Sindarin ''i'' and ''y'' become pronounced the same during the [[Third Age]].
|-
| ý || {{IPA|yː}} ||   || Sindarin ''ý'' is pronounced just noticeably longer in duration than Sindarin ''y'', but otherwise is pronounced the same.
|-
| ŷ || {{IPA|yːː}} ||   || Sindarin ''ŷ'' is pronounced for an even longer duration than Sindarin ''ý'', usually in single-syllable words. But it is permissible to pronounce it the same as ''ý''.
|}

=== Nouns ===

==== Pluralization ====
Sindarin plurals are characterised by ''i-affection'', or ''umlaut'' (see also ''[[prestanneth]]'' "affection of vowels").<ref>{{L|347}}, p. 427</ref> Almost all Sindarin words form their plurals like English man/men and goose/geese — by changing the vowels in the word. The plural patterns are:

{| rules="all" style="border:1px solid darkgray; border-collapse:collapse" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0"
| align="center" bgcolor="lightgrey" colspan="2" | '''In Non-final Syllables'''
|-
| a > e || galadh > gelaidh
|-
| e > e || bereth > berith
|-
| i > i || fireb > firib
|-
| o > e || golodh > gelydh
|-
| u > y || tulus > tylys
|-
| y > y || ''(no example available)''
|-
| align="center" bgcolor="lightgrey" colspan="2" | '''In Final Syllables'''
|-
| a > ai || adan > edain
|-
| â > ai || tâl > tail
|-
| e > i || edhel > edhil
|-
| ê > î || hên > [[hîn]]
|-
| i > i || brennil > brennil
|-
| î > î || dîs > dîs
|-
| o > y || annon > ennyn
|-
| ó > ý || bór > býr
|-
| ô > ŷ || thôn > thŷn
|-
| u > y || urug > yryg
|-
| û > ui || hû > hui
|-
| y > y || ylf > ylf
|-
| ý > ý || mýl > mýl
|-
| au > oe || naug > noeg
|}

Note that ''ai'' can sometimes become ''î'' (or, less commonly, ''ý'').

The reason for this is that the primitive plural ending ''-î'' (still present in Quenya as ''-i'') affected the vowels in the word by making them higher and fronter. After this sound change occurred, the suffix ''-î'' disappeared when all final vowels were lost.

==== Class Plural ====
Sindarin also has several suffixes which denote a so-called class plural. For example, ''-ath'' indicates a group of something, e.g. ''elenath'' from ''[[elen]]'' (an archaic form of ''êl''), meaning "star" and ''-ath''. It means "a group of stars" or "all the stars in the sky". Another ending, ''-rim'', is used to indicate a race, e.g. ''nogothrim'' from ''nogoth'' — "dwarf" and ''-rim'', meaning "the race of dwarves". The ending ''-hoth'' is generally used in an unfriendly sense, e.g. ''gaurhoth'' from ''gaur'' — "werewolf" and ''-hoth'', meaning "werewolf-host".

=== Mutation ===
Sindarin has a complex series of mutations. There are three main different types of mutations: ''soft mutation'' (or lenition), ''nasal mutation'' and ''stop'' (occlusive) ''mutation''. Additionaly, a ''mixed mutation'' is also observed after certain particles or prepositions. Finally, it is presumed that Sindarin also once had what we could call an ''archaic spirantal mutation'' (also sometimes called ''liquid mutation'' by scholars). It is still uncertain whether this mutation is still productive or if it only occurs in ancient constructs.

Initial mutations must not be confused with assimilations that may occur in compound words (such as, for instance, in the names ''[[Araphor]]'', ''[[Arassuil]]'', and ''[[Caradhras]]'').

The following table outlines how different consonants are affected by the different mutations:

{| rules="all" style="border:1px solid darkgrey; border-collapse:collapse" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0"
|-
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Basic'''
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Soft'''
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Nasal'''
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Mixed'''
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Stop'''
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Liquid'''
|-
| b || v || m || b || b || v
|-
| c || g || ch || g || ch || ch
|-
| d || dh || n || d || d || dh
|-
| g || ' || ng || g || g || '
|-
| h || ch || ch || h || ch || ch
|-
| lh || thl || 'l || 'l || thl || 'l
|-
| m || v || m || m || m || v
|-
| p || b || ph || b || b || ph
|-
| rh || thr || 'r || 'r || thr || 'r
|-
| s || h || s || h || s || s
|-
| t || d || th || d || th || th
|}

Here the apostrophe indicates elision.

Words beginning in ''b-'', ''d-'', or ''g-'' which descend from older ''mb-'', ''nd-'', or ''ng-'' are affected differently by the mutations:

{| rules="all" style="border:1px solid darkgrey; border-collapse:collapse" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0"
|-
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Basic'''
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Soft'''
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Nasal'''
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Mixed'''
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Stop'''
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Liquid'''
|-
| b || m || mb || mb || mb || b
|-
| d || n || nd || nd || nd || d
|-
| g || ng || g || g || g || g
|}

Take, for example, the deictic article ''i'', which triggers soft mutation. When added to a word like ''[[tâl]]'', it becomes ''i dâl''. In Sindarin's phonological history, ''t'' became ''d'' in the middle of a word. Because ''i tâl'' at the time was considered one word, the ''t'' became ''d'', and thus ''i dâl''. However, without the article the word is still ''tâl''.

Mutation is triggered in various ways:
* Soft mutation, the most widely occurring mutation, is triggered by the singular article ''i'', the prefixes ''athra-, ath-, [[go-]], [[go-|gwa-]], ú-,'' and ''u-'', as well as the prepositions ''ab, am, adel, be, dad, di, na, nu,'' and ''î'', and after ''avo''. It also affects the second element in a compound, an adjective following a noun, and the object of a verb.
* Nasal mutation is triggered by the plural article ''in'', and the prepositions ''an, dan,'' and plural '''nin''.
* Mixed mutation is triggered by the genitive article ''en'', and the prepositions ''ben, erin, nan, 'nin,'' and ''uin''.
* Stop mutation is triggered by the prepositions ''ed, ned,'' and ''o(d)''.
* Liquid mutation is presumably triggered by the preposition ''or''.

=== Pronouns ===
Pronouns are perhaps the most poorly attested feature of Sindarin. What has been reconstructed by the comparative method is largely conjectural and is not agreed upon, and therefore will not be addressed in this article.

Sindarin pronouns, like those in English, still maintain some case distinction. Sindarin pronouns have nominative, accusative, genitive, and dative forms.

{| rules="all" style="border:1px solid darkgrey; border-collapse:collapse" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0"
| rowspan="2" |
| align="center" bgcolor="gray" colspan="2" | '''First Person'''
| bgcolor="gray" |
| align="center" bgcolor="gray" colspan="2" | '''Second Person'''
| bgcolor="gray" |
| align="center" bgcolor="gray" colspan="2" | '''Third Person'''
|-
| align="center" bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Singular'''
| align="center" bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Plural'''
| bgcolor="lightgrey" |
| align="center" bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Singular'''
| align="center" bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Plural'''
| bgcolor="lightgrey" |
| align="center" bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Singular'''
| align="center" bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Plural'''
|-
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Nominative'''
| ''im'' ||  
| bgcolor="lightgrey" |
|   ||  
| bgcolor="lightgrey" |
| ''e'' ||  
|-
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Accusative'''
| ''nin'' || #''men''
| bgcolor="lightgrey" |
| ''le'' (resp.) || ''le'' (resp.)
| bgcolor="lightgrey" |
| ''den'' || ''di''<br>''hain'' (inanim.)
|-
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Genitive'''
| ''nín'' || ''mín'' [subi. ''vín'']
| bgcolor="lightgrey" |
|   || ''lín''
| bgcolor="lightgrey" |
| ''tîn'' [subi. ''dîn''] ||  
|-
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Dative'''
| ''enni'' [refl. ''anim''] || ''ammen''
| bgcolor="lightgrey" |
|   ||  
| bgcolor="lightgrey" |
|   ||  
|-
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Enclitic'''
| -n || -m
| bgcolor="lightgrey" |
| ?-ch ||  
| bgcolor="lightgrey" |
| — || -r
|}

=== Verbs ===
Sindarin verbs are also quite complex. The number of attested verbs in Sindarin is small, although recent publications clarify most details of conjugation. There are two main types of verbs: ''basic'' and ''derived''. Basic verbs have stems which end in a consonant, and derived verbs have stems which incorporate some sort derivational morpheme (such as a causative ending) which ends in ''-a''.

==== Basic Verbs ====
Basic verbs, though smaller in number than derived verbs, have a very complex conjugation which arises from Sindarin's phonological history.

Basic verbs form infinitives by adding ''-i'' to the stem: ''firi'' from ''fir-''. For this reason, basic verbs are also known as "I-verbs". This ending causes an ''a'' or ''o'' in the stem to umlaut to ''e'': ''ceri'' from ''car-''. But Sindarin does not have much use for infinitive forms, it rather uses the gerund to achieve the same meaning by suffixing ''-ed'': ''fired'', ''cared''.

For all persons except the third person singular, the aorist/present tense is formed by the insertion of ''-i'' between the stem and the pronominal suffixes: ''firin'', ''firir''. As with the infinitive, ''-i'' causes an ''a'' or ''o'' in the stem to umlaut to ''e'': ''cerin'', ''cerir'', from ''car-''. The third person singular, because it has a zero-ending, does not require the insertion of ''-i''. This leaves the bare stem, which causes the stem vowel to become long as with most monosyllabic words: ''fîr'', ''câr''.

The past tense formation of basic verbs have some of the most complex rules due to Sindarin's phonological history. There are two (non-interchangeable) methods of conjugation for certain forms of verbs. Those whose final consonants are B, D, G, (ancient P, T, K,) employ what is called the Nasal Infixion method, while the rest employs Vowel Lengthening. Both methods also include augmentation of the stem, which duplicates the base vowel by adding it to the beginning of verbs.

* An example to Nasal Infixion: †''mat-'' (the ancient form of ''mad-'' "to eat") becomes †''amat-'' with the augmentation of the base vowel, and †''amante'' with the infixion of ''-ne''. This yields ''avant'', ''avanne-'' in modern Sindarin (note the mutation of ''m'' to ''v'' due to lenition). Here ''avant'' means "(he/she/it) ate", and ''avannen'', ''avanner'' mean "I ate", "they ate".
** After infixion, final ''b'' becomes '''-mp''' & '''-mme-'''; final ''d'' becomes '''-nt''' & '''-nne-''' (as in the example); final ''g'' becomes '''-nc''' & '''-nge-'''.
* An example to Vowel Lengthening: †''kar-'' (in modern orthography ''car-'' "to do, make") becomes †''akar-'' with augmentation and ''akāre-'' with lengthening. Due to Sindarin's complex phonological history, ancient long ''a'' becomes ''o'' in polysyllabic forms, which yields ''agor'', ''agóre-'' in modern Sindarin (note the lenition of ''c'' to ''g''). Here ''agor'' means "(he/she/it) did", and ''agóren'', ''agórer'' mean "I did", "they did".
** After lengthening, ''a'' becomes '''o/ó''' (as in the example); ''e'' becomes '''i/í'''; ''i'' becomes '''i/í'''; ''o'' becomes '''u/ú'''; ''y'' becomes '''u/ú''' (''*ýl-'' > ''uiul'', ''uiúle-'').

The future tense is formed by the addition of ''-atha(-)''. As with derived verbs, the final ''a'' becomes ''o'' with the addition of pronominal suffixes with the exceptions of first person plural inclusive ''-(a)b'', and third person plural ''-(a)r'': ''carathon'', ''carathar''.

The imperative is formed with the addition of ''-o'' to the stem: ''caro!'', ''mado!''.

==== Derived Verbs ====
Derived verbs have a much less complex conjugation because they have a thematic vowel ''a'', thus they are also known as "A-verbs".

The infinitive is formed with ''-o'', which replaces the ''-a'' of the stem, e.g. ''lasto'' from ''lasta-''. As this is not used, the gerund is formed with the addition of ''-(a)d'' to the stem: ''lastad''.

The aorist/present tense is formed without modification to the stem. The final ''a'' becomes ''o'' with the addition of pronominal suffixes (except ''-(a)b'' & ''-(a)r''): ''lasta'', ''laston'' from ''lasta-''.

The past tense is formed with the ending ''-nt'', which becomes ''-nne-'' with pronominal suffixes: ''lastant'', ''lastanner'' from ''lasta-''.

The future tense is formed with ''-atha(-)''. As with the aorist/present tense, the final ''a'' becomes ''o'' with the addition of pronominal suffixes: ''lastatha'', ''lastathon''.

The imperative form is identical to the infinitive: ''lasto!''.

== Dialects ==
During the [[First Age]] there were several dialects of Sindarin:
*''[[Doriathrin]]'' or the language of [[Doriath]], a form of the language which preserved many archaic forms;
*''[[Falathrin]]'' or the language of the [[Falas]], later also spoken in [[Nargothrond]];
*''[[North Sindarin]]'', the dialects originally spoken in [[Dorthonion]] and [[Hithlum]] by the Sindar, these dialects contained many unique words and were not fully intelligible with the Sindarin of [[Beleriand]] proper.

With the exception of Doriathrin, the dialects were changed under Noldorin influence, and adopted many [[Quenya]] features, as well as unique sound changes devised by the Noldor (who loved changing languages). The distinct dialects disappeared after the Noldor and Sindar were dispersed during the later [[Battles of Beleriand]]. In the refuges on the [[Isle of Balar]] and the [[Mouths of Sirion]] a new dialect arose under the refugees, which mainly took after Falathrin. During the [[Second Age]] and [[Third Age]] Sindarin was a ''lingua franca'' for all Elves and their friends, until it was displaced as the [[Westron|Common Tongue]] by [[Westron]], a descendant of [[Adûnaic]] which was heavily influenced by Sindarin.

''Sindarin'' is actually a Quenya term. No Sindarin word for Sindarin is known, but usually the term '''''Edhellen''''' ("Elvish") is used in [[Neo-Sindarin]].

==Etymology==

The word '''Sindarin''' itself is actually a [[Quenya]] word given by the [[Noldor]]in Exiles. It is pronounced {{IPA|[ˈsindarin]}}.

==Names==

Sindarin is the language referred to as "the '''Elven-tongue'''" in ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]''.

In a letter, [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] referred to Sindarin as '''Grey Elvish'''.<ref>{{L|230}}</ref> In another manuscript he used the similar name '''Grey-elven'''.<ref>{{PE|17}}, p. 127</ref>

==Inspiration==

Tolkien originally imagined that the language which would become ''Sindarin'' was spoken by the Noldor. However, Tolkien later decided that it was the language of the Sindar. For this reason it is called "[[Noldorin]]" in the older material, such as the ''[[The Etymologies|Etymologies]]''. When Noldorin became Sindarin, it also adopted some features of the originally unrelated language ''[[Ilkorin]]''. Tolkien based the sound and some of the grammar of his Noldorin/Sindarin on [[Welsh]], and Sindarin displays of the consonant mutations that characterise the Celtic (especially Brythonic) languages. The language was also probably influenced to an extent by the Germanic languages, as Tolkien was a scholar of both [[Old English]] and [[Old Norse]].

== External Links ==
*[http://www.uib.no/People/hnohf/sindarin.htm Sindarin – ''The Noble Tongue''], by [[Helge Kåre Fauskanger]]
*[http://www.jrrvf.com/hisweloke/sindar/ Hiswelókë's Sindarin Dictionary]
*[http://sindarin.weet.us/ I Lam Arth - The Noble Tongue], a technical study of Sindarin
*[http://www.jrrvf.com/~glaemscrafu/english/sindarin.html Sindarin sound samples] at [[Glǽmscrafu]]
{{references}}
{{languages}}
[[Category:Sindarin| ]]
[[Category:Quenya adjectives]]
[[Category:Quenya nouns]]
[[de:Sindarin]]
[[fi:Sindar (kieli)]]
[[fr:encyclo:langues:sindarin]]

Talk:Sindarin

2019-03-26T16:15:56Z

Elaran:

As you may know, the Editorial Team of the Elvish Linguistic Fellowship is still publishing Tolkien's notes on the languages, and according to the attendees of the latest [http://www.omentielva.com/ootsea.htm Omentielva conference], Parma Eldalamberon's 23rd and 24th issues are on the way as well. Thus, our understanding of the languages, or at least the amount of documents that we have on them, keeps growing. Consequently, every article that was published before one of the E.L.F. publications is bound to have outdated information, although even the seemingly up-to-date works tend to have the same, due to the fact that interest in Tolkien's languages mostly faded after the early 2000s and few people remain active and discover all the implications of tiny details via collaboration.

The Sindarin page on Tolkien Gateway is similarly full of outdated information. For example, the details on the past conjugation of basic verbs belong to an era before Parma Eldalamberon #17 (2007), arguably the most important document on Tolkien's languages. Today, we know unequivocally that the mentioned is instead formed with "nasal infixion" for the final consonants B, D, G, and "vowel lengthening" for the rest, with "augmentation" for both. To exemplify, the verb ''car-'' "to do" employs the vowel lengthening (and augmentation) method and becomes ''agor'' "he/she did", and ''agóren, agórel'' "I did, you did". Evidence of this formation was present long before PE17 or PE22, but due to the lack of published information it was considered to be "irregular" in the early 2000s, whereas we now have access to more than a few examples for it.

Thus I suggest removing such details from the page, instead offering a brief overview like the one on Quenya. I do not recommend replacing outdated parts with updated ones because in time these could become obsolete as well, with a new publication of the source material. The details within the "Quenya Grammar" page is also problematic in that regard, even though Tolkien was more consistent with Quenya. There is already a great amount of misinformation on the internet when it comes to Elvish languages, and so Tolkien Gateway should take steps to avoid adding to it.

— [[User:Elaran|Elaran]] 09:24, 26 January 2019 (UTC)

:Please edit the page to change this information. --{{User:Mith/sig}} 10:15, 26 January 2019 (UTC)

::OK, I have to apologise. I had not appreciated from the above remarks quite the scope and scale of the change you were proposing which - to me - is a complete hollowing out of the article. And I think needs a much wider debate first (which is why I have reverted the edit).

::I agree that there is information here that needs updating, but my preference would be to update not just remove all information altogether; I would also prefer the article to be kept up-to-date with latest developments rather than have nothing at all. I also don't fully understand the need to remove the pronunciation information, or the Etymology and Names sections.

::It would be helpful to know your mind on the changes you think need making to Phonology, Nouns, Pronouns, Verbs, Dialects, Etymology, and Names section. The example you gave above relates to Verbs specifically. Thanks. --{{User:Mith/sig}} 15:26, 17 February 2019 (UTC)

:::The result was as "hollow" as the Quenya page, which simply offers brief information on its history and inspiration, as it should. But if there should be more, the page should first be cleaned up until proper information is made ready. The Etymology and Names sections could stay, as well as Phonology (better renamed to Pronunciation) with a few updates. Vowel mutations should be updated (better yet, removed) and the Consonant mutations need to go immediately, as well as everything about the verbs (which are mostly taken from outdated Neo-Sindarin sources). I do not see the point of presenting the pronouns (which also need an update) without a full system which only up-to-date Neo-Sindarin can provide. Finally, the Dialects section confuses internal and external developments.

:::— [[User:Elaran|Elaran]] 20:49, 17 February 2019 (UTC)

::::It has been a week. Have you made a decision? In case I fail to reach you again, I will at least delete the Verbs section (as it is not only old but comes from Neo-Sindarin sources which Tolkien's notes have debunked long ago). And I would like to emphasise that "uninformative" would be better than "misleading".

::::— [[User:Elaran|Elaran]] 21:38, 23 February 2019 (UTC)

:::::As I said above, I would like to hear from other editors before are major revisions to this article has been made, and none have yet done so. There is no rush. --{{User:Mith/sig}} 11:49, 24 February 2019 (UTC)

::::::It has been a month now, none seem to be interested. I maintain multiple communities on the subject, whose members include figures like H. K. Fauskanger, Roman Rausch, and many others. And I believe that I speak on behalf of all when I say that the page needs serious and immediate revision, which is hopefully enough in the absence of other editors. But as you do not allow destructive edits, I can provide constructive ones instead, going over each section and updating them with information from latest publications like PE22. I had chosen the former because this update can also become obsolete with a new publication, but it would be far less likely since the amount of information that we now have is far greater than what we had in the early 2000s (i.e. the era from which the page derives its outdated information). If the upcoming changes are not agreeable to you, you can revert them back again.

:::::: — [[User:Elaran|Elaran]] 16:15, 26 March 2019 (UTC)

Talk:Sindarin

2019-02-23T21:38:46Z

Elaran:

As you may know, the Editorial Team of the Elvish Linguistic Fellowship is still publishing Tolkien's notes on the languages, and according to the attendees of the latest [http://www.omentielva.com/ootsea.htm Omentielva conference], Parma Eldalamberon's 23rd and 24th issues are on the way as well. Thus, our understanding of the languages, or at least the amount of documents that we have on them, keeps growing. Consequently, every article that was published before one of the E.L.F. publications is bound to have outdated information, although even the seemingly up-to-date works tend to have the same, due to the fact that interest in Tolkien's languages mostly faded after the early 2000s and few people remain active and discover all the implications of tiny details via collaboration.

The Sindarin page on Tolkien Gateway is similarly full of outdated information. For example, the details on the past conjugation of basic verbs belong to an era before Parma Eldalamberon #17 (2007), arguably the most important document on Tolkien's languages. Today, we know unequivocally that the mentioned is instead formed with "nasal infixion" for the final consonants B, D, G, and "vowel lengthening" for the rest, with "augmentation" for both. To exemplify, the verb ''car-'' "to do" employs the vowel lengthening (and augmentation) method and becomes ''agor'' "he/she did", and ''agóren, agórel'' "I did, you did". Evidence of this formation was present long before PE17 or PE22, but due to the lack of published information it was considered to be "irregular" in the early 2000s, whereas we now have access to more than a few examples for it.

Thus I suggest removing such details from the page, instead offering a brief overview like the one on Quenya. I do not recommend replacing outdated parts with updated ones because in time these could become obsolete as well, with a new publication of the source material. The details within the "Quenya Grammar" page is also problematic in that regard, even though Tolkien was more consistent with Quenya. There is already a great amount of misinformation on the internet when it comes to Elvish languages, and so Tolkien Gateway should take steps to avoid adding to it.

— [[User:Elaran|Elaran]] 09:24, 26 January 2019 (UTC)

:Please edit the page to change this information. --{{User:Mith/sig}} 10:15, 26 January 2019 (UTC)

::OK, I have to apologise. I had not appreciated from the above remarks quite the scope and scale of the change you were proposing which - to me - is a complete hollowing out of the article. And I think needs a much wider debate first (which is why I have reverted the edit).

::I agree that there is information here that needs updating, but my preference would be to update not just remove all information altogether; I would also prefer the article to be kept up-to-date with latest developments rather than have nothing at all. I also don't fully understand the need to remove the pronunciation information, or the Etymology and Names sections.

::It would be helpful to know your mind on the changes you think need making to Phonology, Nouns, Pronouns, Verbs, Dialects, Etymology, and Names section. The example you gave above relates to Verbs specifically. Thanks. --{{User:Mith/sig}} 15:26, 17 February 2019 (UTC)

:::The result was as "hollow" as the Quenya page, which simply offers brief information on its history and inspiration, as it should. But if there should be more, the page should first be cleaned up until proper information is made ready. The Etymology and Names sections could stay, as well as Phonology (better renamed to Pronunciation) with a few updates. Vowel mutations should be updated (better yet, removed) and the Consonant mutations need to go immediately, as well as everything about the verbs (which are mostly taken from outdated Neo-Sindarin sources). I do not see the point of presenting the pronouns (which also need an update) without a full system which only up-to-date Neo-Sindarin can provide. Finally, the Dialects section confuses internal and external developments.

:::— [[User:Elaran|Elaran]] 20:49, 17 February 2019 (UTC)

::::It has been a week. Have you made a decision? In case I fail to reach you again, I will at least delete the Verbs section (as it is not only old but comes from Neo-Sindarin sources which Tolkien's notes have debunked long ago). And I would like to emphasise that "uninformative" would be better than "misleading".

::::—[[User:Elaran|Elaran]] 21:38, 23 February 2019 (UTC)

Talk:Sindarin

2019-02-17T20:49:34Z

Elaran:

Sindarin

2019-02-17T14:32:33Z

Elaran: Removed obsolete Neo-Sindarin information.

Talk:Sindarin

2019-01-26T09:24:59Z

Elaran:

{{Counciltop}}


As you may know, the Editorial Team of the Elvish Linguistic Fellowship is still publishing Tolkien's notes on the languages, and according to the attendees of the latest [http://www.omentielva.com/ootsea.htm Omentielva conference], Parma Eldalamberon's 23rd and 24th issues are on the way as well. Thus, our understanding of the languages, or at least the amount of documents that we have on them, keeps growing. Consequently, every article that was published before one of the E.L.F. publications is bound to have outdated information, although even the seemingly up-to-date works tend to have the same, due to the fact that interest in Tolkien's languages mostly faded after the early 2000s and few people remain active and discover all the implications of tiny details via collaboration.

The Sindarin page on Tolkien Gateway is similarly full of outdated information. For example, the details on the past conjugation of basic verbs belong to an era before Parma Eldalamberon #17 (2007), arguably the most important document on Tolkien's languages. Today, we know unequivocally that the mentioned is instead formed with "nasal infixion" for the final consonants B, D, G, and "vowel lengthening" for the rest, with "augmentation" for both. To exemplify, the verb ''car-'' "to do" employs the vowel lengthening (and augmentation) method and becomes ''agor'' "he/she did", and ''agóren, agórel'' "I did, you did". Evidence of this formation was present long before PE17 or PE22, but due to the lack of published information it was considered to be "irregular" in the early 2000s, whereas we now have access to more than a few examples for it.

Thus I suggest removing such details from the page, instead offering a brief overview like the one on Quenya. I do not recommend replacing outdated parts with updated ones because in time these could become obsolete as well, with a new publication of the source material. The details within the "Quenya Grammar" page is also problematic in that regard, even though Tolkien was more consistent with Quenya. There is already a great amount of misinformation on the internet when it comes to Elvish languages, and so Tolkien Gateway should take steps to avoid adding to it.

[[User:Elaran|Elaran]] 09:24, 26 January 2019 (UTC)

Talk:Sindarin

2019-01-26T09:17:13Z

Elaran:

Talk:Sindarin

2019-01-26T09:15:41Z

Elaran: Addressing the problems of the Sindarin page.