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The elven language is a beautiful and poetic melody of lyrical sounds. From the
original language of the first born that awoke by Cuivienen, the elven language has evolved and divided
into several distinct languages in much the same way the firstborn were sundered. The two most common
and well known are Quenya and Sindarin. Those keen to learn a little of the history of these two
languages may find the following to be of some interest. There are also links provided for those more
interested in learning how to speak the language or deep delver into its evolution over time. Also
provided are a list of words and phrases commonly used amongst the members of this house.
Quenya
Quenya is believed to be the closest language to that spoken by the first elves to have awoken by
Cuivienen. Also known as high elven, quenya is the language of the Eldar of Valinor. In Aman several
dialects were established, Vanyarin, Noldorin and Telerin. The Noldorin dialect was the only one to
be spoken in Middle-earth. The Telerin were the most seclusive of all elves in Aman and perhaps led to
developments in Telerin that now sees it considered as a seperate language all together.
Amongst the many changes Quenya endured from the original elven language were those of adopted and
adapted words from the language of the Valar. The Valar though encouraged the Elves to create words
of their own style. They begun speaking Quenya themselves with great regularity even amongst themselves.
Quenya was the first language to make use of letters, invented by Rumil making the language capable
of being recorded in written form. In Aman the language would of stayed had not the noldor migrated
to middle-earth in their rebllion. When Thingol, lord of Doriath and the Sindar elves, heard that the
Noldor had been responsible for the slaying of their own kin, he banned the use of the Quenya language.
Thus Quenya was spoken little and only by the lords of the Noldor amongst themselves. It remained as a
language of lore and was even learnt by some of the Edain. The Noldor took up the Sindarin language
for common use and were able to learn it more swiftly than the Sindar were able to pick up the Quenya
tongue.
During the second age, the Kings of Numenor took up Quenya names as it was the highest of languages known
to them. Certain places were also given names in Quenya, though the language still remained unspoken, only
taught to royal families and in documentations designed for preservation like Laws. During the third age,
few of the Noldor were left in middle-earth and the language was spoken very little. By the start of the
fourth age, no known native speakers of Quenya existed in middle-earth, though thhrough the real of
Gondor the language survived, if only in writings of high lore and special names and places.
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Sindarin
Sindarin was the most common tongue of the elves of Middle-earth. The language shares its origins with
that of Quenya for early in the history of elves they spoke a common tongue. However, Thingol, first
King of the Sindar, dwelled in Beleriand and the tongue of these elves "became far estranged from the
speech of the Edlar from beyond the Sea" (LotR Appendix F). It may be that the rapid changes of Sindarin
were due to the great changes of the land in which they dwelt, compared to the relative stableness
of Aman where Quenya changed far less.
The noldor arrived in middle-earth after 3000 years since their
sepration from the Sindar. The next 7000 years saw little development to the Sindarin tongue in
comparison to the previous 3000. The Sindar struggled to learn Quenya as swiftly as the Noldor
had learn Sindar who soon begun to use it in common speach. Many of the Noldor adopted Sindarin names,
finding it innapropriate to name themselves in a language different to that which they spoke.
The Dunedain also spoke Sindarin and were the only race ot men to truly learn an elven language. Sindar
was spoken with great regularity in Numenor though became banned Ar-Gimilzor was crowned King and grew
jealous of the immortality of the elves. During the Second and Third Ages Sindarin started to take
the place of the Silvan tongue especially in Mirkwood and Lorien, though developed a slight accent in
these regions. With the passing of elves across the sea during the Second and Third ages, by the Fourth age more men
spoke Sindarin then elves.
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Common Words & Phrases
Many members of this house come from the woodelves and woodmen of Mirkwood and Lorien where Sindarin is
in common use and Quenya is used occasionally. For those wishing to converse with the members of this
house (or shout out a curse to your enemy) in the elven tongues a small list of common words and phrases
has been provided.
(S) = Sindar
(Q) = Quenya
| Aiya (Q) |
Hello (greeting) |
Cu / Peng (S) |
Bow |
| Namarie (Q) |
Farewell / be in goodness |
Maethor (S) |
Warrior |
| Eryn (S) |
Wood |
Ithil (S) |
Moon |
| Taur (S) |
Large Forest |
Narn (S) |
Tale |
| Taur e-Ndaedelos |
Mirkwood |
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| Edhell / Edhellen (S) |
Elf / Elvish |
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| Mae govannen (S) |
Well met |
| Pedo Mellon (S) |
Speak friend |
| Lasto beth lammen (S) |
Listen to the words of my tongue |
| Noro lim (S) |
Make Haste / run fast |
| Mbar Nin (S) |
My Home |
| Gurth an Glamhoth (S) |
Death to the Dinhorde (Orcs) |
| Tul acharn (S) |
Vengeance Comes |
| Drego Morn (S) |
Flee night |
| Elen sila lumenn' omentielvo (Q) |
a star shines at the hour of our meeting |
| lá ilyë yantë ranya nar vanwë (Q) |
Not all those who wander are lost |
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