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Elvish languages are constructed languages used typically by elves in a fantasy setting.
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Elvish languages of Middle-earth
Author J. R. R. Tolkien created many languages for Elves, which eventuated in the creation of a mythology (expounded in his books), complete with races, to speak the tongues he had constructed. His interest was primarily philological, and he said his stories grew out of his languages. The languages were the first thing Tolkien created for his mythos, starting with what he originally called "Qenya", the first primitive form of elvish. This was later called Quenya (High-elven) and, along with Sindarin (Grey-elven), is one of the two most complete of Tolkien's languages. In addition to these two he also created several other (partially derived) languages.
In Tolkien's mythology, these languages originated as follows:
Various Avarin languages (some later merged with Nandorin)
Quendya (also Vanyarin Quenya) (daily tongue of the Vanyar: closest to archaic Quenya)
Noldorin Quenya (also Exilic Quenya) (the "Elven Latin" of Middle-earth)
Nandorin (languages of the Nandor — some were influenced by Avarin)
Professor Tolkien also created the Tengwar and Cirth scripts for his languages.
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Pronunciation
Sindarin and Quenya have a very similar pronunciation. The following table gives pronunciation for each letter or cluster in international phonetic script and examples:
Vowels
Consonants (differing from English)
The letter c is always pronounced like the letter k , even before i and e; for instance, Celeborn is pronounced Keleborn, and Cirth is pronounced Kirth; thus, it is never pronounced like the c in cent.
The letter g is always pronounced in the hard form , as in give, rather than the soft form , as in gem.
The letter r is lightly trilled , as in Spanish.
The digraph dh, as in Caradhras, is pronounced like the th in this .
The digraph ch, as in Orch, is pronounced like the ch in German ach, and never like the ch in English chair.
Most samples of the Elvish language are written out with the Latin alphabet, but within the fiction the languages were written using Tengwar, or occasionally carved in Cirth. Tengwar can however be used to write many other languages.
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The relationship between the Elvish languages
Below is given a simplified diagram over how the Elvish languages are said have developed from their common origin, Quendian. Where this is known, the descendant of the Quendian word kwendī 'people' is shown in italics for each language.
Time Period |
Language |
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The Awakening |
Quendian
Common for all Elves at Cuiviénen
kwendī |
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The Westward March |
ffe">Quenya
Vanyar and Noldor in Aman
quendi |
eee">Common Telerin
Teleri during the march
pendi |
eef">Avarin
Avari, those who stayed at Cuiviénen and from there spread across Middle-earth (many languages)
kindi, cuind, hwenti, windan, kinn-lai |
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The First Age |
eed">Amanya Telerin
Teleri in Aman |
ddd">Sindarin
Teleri in Beleriand (Sindar), as well as the exiled Noldor after the speaking of Quenya was banned in Beleriand by Elu Thingol.
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dee">Nandorin
Teleri in Rhovanion, Eriador and Ossiriand (Nandor) |
eef"> |
eef"> |
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The Second Age |
dde">Silvan
See also: Languages of Middle-earth
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Other Elvish languages
Since Tolkien, others have invented Elvish languages in their own fiction. Several borrow sounds and forms (or even whole words) from Tolkien's Elvish languages, especially Quenya, while others are quite distinct.
The Ancient Language The language of the elves in Eragon Also spoken by the riders.
Common Elvish, the language of the surface Elves of Dungeons & Dragons (of which there is several dialects)
Eltharin, the language of the elves of Warhammer:
Fan-Eltharin, the language of the Wood Elves
Tar-Eltharin, the language of the Sea Elves and High Elves
The Elvish language is also used in some of Finnish opera-metal band, 'Nightwish's lyrics. One such example is the usage of 'Elbereth' in Wishmaster.
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