Sindarin

{{short description|Fictional language in the fantasy works of J. R. R. Tolkien}} {{Infobox language |name=Sindarin |creator=[[J. R. R. Tolkien]] |created={{circa}} 1915 to 1973 |setting=The fictional world of [[Middle-earth]] |fam1 = [[constructed language]]s |fam2 = [[artistic language]]s |fam3 = [[fictional language]]s |posteriori=[[A priori (languages)|a priori language]], but related to the other [[Elvish languages (Middle-earth)|Elvish languages]]. Sindarin was influenced primarily by [[Welsh language|Welsh]]. |script=[[Tengwar]] (mainly), [[Cirth]] |iso3=sjn |linglist=sjn |glotto=sind1281 |notice=IPA }}

'''Sindarin''' is one of [[Languages constructed by J. R. R. Tolkien|the constructed languages]] devised by [[J. R. R. Tolkien]] for use in his fantasy stories set in [[Arda (Tolkien)|Arda]], primarily in [[Middle-earth]]. Sindarin is one of the many languages spoken by the [[Elf (Middle-earth)|Elves]].

The word {{lang|qya|Sindarin}} is [[Quenya]] for Grey-elven, since it was the language of the Grey Elves of [[Beleriand]]. These were Elves of the Third Clan who remained behind in Beleriand after the [[Great Journey]]. Their language became estranged from that of their kin who sailed over the sea. Sindarin derives from an earlier language called [[Common Telerin]], which evolved from [[Common Eldarin]], the tongue of the [[Eldar (Middle-earth)|Eldar]] before their divisions, e.g., those Elves who decided to follow the Vala [[Oromë]] and undertook the Great March to [[Valinor]]. Even before that the Eldar Elves spoke the original speech of all Elves, or [[Primitive Quendian]].

In the [[Third Age]] (the setting of ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]''), Sindarin was the language most commonly spoken by most Elves in the Western part of Middle-earth. Sindarin is the language usually referred to as ''the Elf-Tongue'' or ''Elven-Tongue'' in ''The Lord of the Rings''. When the [[Quenya]]-speaking [[Noldor]] returned to Middle-earth, they adopted the Sindarin language. Quenya and Sindarin were related, with many [[cognate]] words but differing greatly in grammar and structure. Sindarin is said to be more changeful than Quenya, and there were during the First Age a number of regional [[dialects]]. The tongue used in [[Doriath (Middle-earth)|Doriath]] (home of [[Thingol]], King of the Sindar), known as [[Doriathrin]], was said by many Grey-elves to be the highest and most noble form of the language.

In the [[Second Age]], many [[Man (Middle-earth)|Men]] of [[Númenor]] spoke Sindarin fluently. Their descendants, the [[Dúnedain]] of [[Gondor]] and Arnor, continued to speak Sindarin in the Third Age. Sindarin was first written using the [[Cirth]], an Elvish runic alphabet. Later, it was usually written in the [[Tengwar]] (Quenya for 'letters') – a script invented by the elf [[Fëanor]]. Tolkien based the [[phonology]] and some of the grammar of Sindarin on [[Literary Welsh morphology|Literary Welsh]], and Sindarin displays some of the consonant mutations that characterize the [[Celtic languages]].<ref name=Burns>{{cite book |title=Perilous Realms: Celtic and Norse in Tolkien's Middle-earth |title-link=Perilous Realms |first=Marjorie |last=Burns |author-link=Marjorie Burns |publisher=[[University of Toronto Press]] |year=2005 |page=21 |isbn=0-8020-3806-9}}</ref>

The Dwarves rarely taught [[Khuzdul|their language]] to others,<ref name="Complete">[[Robert Foster (author)|Foster, Robert]] (1978) ''[[The Complete Guide to Middle-earth]]''. Ballantine.</ref> so they learned both Quenya and Sindarin in order to communicate with the Elves, especially the [[Noldor]] and Sindar.<ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1977}}, ''[[Quenta Silmarillion]]'', ch. 10 "Of the Sindar"</ref> By the Third Age, however, the Dwarves were estranged from the Elves and no longer routinely learned their language, preferring to use [[Westron]].

== Two timelines ==

For Tolkien's constructed languages one must distinguish two timelines of development:{{sfn|Hostetter|2013}}

* One external, in which Tolkien's linguistic taste and conceptions evolved{{sfn|Hostetter|2013}} * One internal, consisting of the sequence of events within the fictional history of Tolkien's secondary world{{sfn|Hostetter|2013}}

== External timeline ==

=== Goldogrin and other early languages ===

Tolkien was interested in languages from an early age, and developed several [[constructed language]]s while still a teenager. Eventually, as a young adult, he created an entire [[Languages constructed by J. R. R. Tolkien|family of constructed languages]] spoken by Elves and a [[secondary world]] where these could evolve.{{sfn|Hostetter|2013}}<ref>{{cite book |chapter=Sindarin |title=Encyclopedia of Fictional and Fantastic Languages |first1=Tim |last1=Conley |first2=Stephen |last2=Cain |publisher=[[Greenwood Publishing Group]] |year=2006 |isbn=978-0-313-33188-6}}</ref>

One of these languages was created around 1915, inspired by the [[Celtic languages]], particularly [[Literary Welsh morphology|Literary]] [[Welsh language|Welsh]]. Tolkien called it ''[[Goldogrin]]'' or "Gnomish" in English. He wrote a substantial dictionary of Gnomish and a grammar.<ref group=T>I-Lam na-Ngoldathon: The Grammar and Lexicon of the Gnomish Tongue. ''[[Parma Eldalamberon]]'' 11.</ref> This is the first conceptual stage of the Sindarin language. At the same time Tolkien conceived a History of the Elves and wrote it in the ''[[Book of Lost Tales]]''. Gnomish was spoken by the Gnomes or ''Noldoli'', the Second Clan of [[Elf (Middle-earth)|Elves]], and ''Elfin'' was the other tongue spoken by the great majority of the Elves of the Lonely Isle.<ref>Gilson, Christopher. "Gnomish is Sindarin: The Conceptual Evolution of an Elvish Language." In Tolkien's Legendarium: Essays on the History of Middle-earth, edited by [[Verlyn Flieger]] and [[Carl F. Hostetter]], 95-104. Westport, CT: Greenwood, 2000.</ref>

The beginning of the "Name-list of the ''[[Fall of Gondolin]]''", one of the ''Lost Tales'', gives a good example of both languages (Gnomish and Elfin):

{{blockquote|"Here is set forth by Eriol at the teaching of Bronweg's son ''Elfrith'' or 'Littleheart' (and he was so named for the youth and wonder of his heart) those names and words that are used in these tales from either the tongue of the Elves of Kor as at the time spoken in the Lonely Isle, or from that related one of the Noldoli their kin whom they wrested from Melko. Here first are they which appear in the ''Tale of [[Tuor]] and the Exiles of Gondolin'', first among these those ones in the Gnome-speech (''lam Goldrin''). ''Ainon'' now these were great beings who dwelt with [[Ilúvatar]] as the Elves name him (but the Gnomes ''Ilador'' or ''Ilathon'') ere the world grew, and some of these dwelt after in the world and ere the Gods or ''[[Ainur (Middle-earth)|Ainur]]'' as say the Elves.<ref group=T>[[J. R. R. Tolkien|Tolkien, J. R. R.]] "Name-list of the ''Fall of Gondolin''", ''[[Parma Eldalamberon]]'' 15, p. 20.</ref>}}

=== Noldorin ===

A few years later, c. 1925, Tolkien began anew the grammar and lexicon of the tongue of his Gnomes. He abandoned the words ''Goldogrin'' and ''lam Goldrin'' in favour of ''Noldorin'' (a [[Quenya]] word already sparingly used for his Gnomish tongue). This is the second conceptual stage of Sindarin. Tolkien then composed a grammar of this new Noldorin, the ''Lam na Ngoluith''.<ref group=T>''[[Parma Eldalamberon]]'' 13.</ref> In the early 1930s Tolkien wrote a new grammar of ''Noldorin''.<ref group=T>Still unpublished as of 2011.</ref> This is the "late conceptual Noldorin". At the same time, Tolkien was developing the Ilkorin tongues of the Elves of the Third Clan who remained in Beleriand (those same Elves whom Tolkien would much later name ''Sindar'' in Quenya). ''Noldorin'' (the Welsh-style language) was at that time conceived as having evolved from the ''Old Noldorin'' spoken in Valinor to the many (not Welsh-like) dialects, later called ''Lemberin'', that were spoken in Beleriand. The Noldorin Elves wanted to speak a distinct tongue from the First Clan Elves who also lived with them and spoke Quenya, and so they developed ''Old Noldorin'' from what Tolkien called ''Koreldarin'': "the tongue of those who left Middle-earth, and came to ''Kór'', the hill of the Elves in Valinor."<ref group=T>[[J. R. R. Tolkien|Tolkien, J. R. R.]], ''Tengwesta Qenderinwa 1''. [[Parma Eldalamberon]] 18, p. 24.</ref>

=== From Noldorin and Welsh ===

{{further|The Etymologies (Tolkien)#Stage of development|Tolkien and the Celtic}}

Tolkien created Sindarin in around 1944. He used much of Noldorin and blended it with "Ilkorin Doriathrin" and added in some new features. On that matter, he wrote a side note on his "Comparative Tables": "Doriath[rin], etc. = Noldorin ((?)viz. as it used to be)".<ref group=T>[[J. R. R. Tolkien|Tolkien, J. R. R.]] "Comparative Tables". ''[[Parma Eldalamberon]]'' 19, p. 23.</ref> The Ilkorin tongues of 1930–50 spoken in Beleriand, e.g. Doriathrin and the other dialects, were not as much based on Welsh as Noldorin was, and Tolkien wanted his new "tongue of Beleriand" to be a Welsh-type language. In Tolkien's words, "The changes worked on Sindarin [from Common Eldarin] very closely (and deliberately) resemble those which produced the modern and medieval Welsh from ancient Celtic, so that in the result Sindarin has a marked Welsh style, and the relations between it and Quenya closely resemble those between Welsh and Latin."<ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|2007}}, p. 135.</ref>

Tolkien did not provide a detailed description of the language in published works such as ''The Lord of the Rings'', but he did say that<ref name="PE17 p61" group=T/>

{{blockquote|"A precise account, with drawings and other aids, of [[Dwarf (Middle-earth)|Dwarvish]] smith-practices, [[Hobbit]]-pottery, Numerorean medicine and philosophy, and so on would interfere with the narrative [of the ''Lord of the Rings''], or swell the Appendices. So too, would complete grammars and lexical collection of the languages. Any attempt at bogus 'completeness' would reduce the thing to a 'model', a kind of imaginary dolls house of pseudo-history. Much hidden and unexhibited work is needed to give the nomenclature a 'feel' of verisimilitude. But this story [''The Lord of the Rings''] is not the place for technical phonology and grammatical history. ''I hope to leave these things firmly sketched and recorded.''" [emphasis added]<ref name="PE17 p61" group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|2007}}, p. 61, letter to a reader.</ref>}}

Tolkien wrote many pieces in Sindarin. He made an effort to give to [[Elvish languages (Middle-earth)|his Elvish languages]] the feel and taste of [[natural language]]s. He wanted to infuse in them a kind of life, while fitting them to a very personal aesthetic taste. He wanted to build languages primarily to satisfy his personal urge and not because he had some universal design in mind.<ref group=T>{{harvnb|Carpenter|2023|loc=#165 to [[Houghton Mifflin]], 30 June 1955 }}</ref>

== Internal timeline ==

[[File:Elvish Languages Mapped to Kindreds and Migrations.svg|thumb|center|upright=3.5|[[Elvish languages (Middle-earth)|Elvish Languages]] mapped to kindreds and migrations in the [[Sundering of the Elves]]. Sindarin was initially spoken in [[Beleriand]] in the far Northwest of [[Middle-earth]]. After Beleriand's near-total destruction, Sindarin continued to be spoken in Middle-earth in the [[Third Age]].]]

In Tolkien's words:

{{blockquote|"Sindarin (Grey-elven) is properly the name of the languages of the Elvish inhabitants of Beleriand, the later almost drowned land west of the Blue Mountains. Quenya was the language of the Exiled High-Elves returning to Middle-earth. The [[Exiles (Middle-earth)|Exiles]], being relatively few in number, eventually adopted a form of Sindarin: a southern dialect (of which the purest and most archaic variety was used in Doriath ruled by Thingol). This they used in daily speech, and even adapted their own personal names to its form. But the Sindarin of the High-elves was (naturally) somewhat affected by Quenya, and contained some Quenya elements. Sindarin is also loosely applied to the related languages of the Elves of the same origin as the Grey Elves of Beleriand, who lived in [[Eriador]] and further East."<ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|2007}}, p. 127.</ref>}}

===Dialects===

[[File:Sindarin dialects of Beleriand mapped.svg|thumb|center|upright=2.2|Sindarin dialects of [[Beleriand]] in the [[First Age]], before the return of the Noldor. Doriathrin was spoken in [[Doriath (Middle-earth)|Doriath]], the forested area in the centre. Falathrin was the dialect of the Falas, the coastal region to the West. The North-Western dialect was spoken in Hithlum, Mithrim, and Dor-lómin, north of the Ered Wethrin mountains (top left). The North-Eastern dialect was spoken in Ard-galen (before its ruin), and the highlands of Dorthonion (Taur-nu-Fuin) (top centre).]]

The divergence of Sindarin (Old Sindarin) begun first into a Northern or {{lang|sjn|Mithrimin}} group and a Southern group. The Southern group had a much larger territory, and included {{lang|sjn|Doriathrin}} or "Central Sindarin".<ref name=WPP17-133 group=T/>

{{blockquote|"[[Círdan]] was a [[Teleri]]n Elf, one of the highest of those who were not transported to Valinor but became known as the Sindar, the Grey-elves; he was akin to [[Olwë]], one of the two kings of the Teleri, and lord of those who departed over the Great Sea. He was thus also akin to [[Elwë]], Olwë's elder brother, acknowledged as high-king of all the Teleri in Beleriand, even after he withdrew to the guarded realm of Doriath. But Círdan and his people remained in many ways distinct from the rest of the Sindar. They retained the old name Teleri (in later Sindarin form ''Telir'', or ''Telerrim'') and remained in many ways a separate folk, speaking even in later days a more archaic language."<ref name="PoME ch 13" group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1996}}, ch. 13 "Last Writings", "Círdan"</ref>}}

So during the [[First Age]], before the return of the Noldor, there were four dialects of Sindarin:

{{tree list}} * '''Sindarin''' ** Southern group *** {{lang|sjn|Doriathrin}}, the language of [[Doriath (Middle-earth)|Doriath]];<ref name=WPP17-133 group=T/> *** {{lang|sjn|Falathrin}} or "West Sindarin", the language of the [[Falas]]; ** Northern group *** North-Western dialect, spoken in Hithlum, Mithrim, and Dor-lómin; *** North-Eastern dialect, spoken in Ard-galen (before its ruin), and the highlands of Dorthonion (Taur-nu-Fuin). {{tree list/end}}

==== Doriathrin ====

Doriathrin preserved many archaic features. Unlike the other dialects, it remained free from [[Quenya]] influences. The "accent" of Doriath was also quite recognisable, so that after [[Túrin]] had left Doriath he kept a Doriathrin accent until his death, which immediately pinpointed his origin to speakers of other dialects of Sindarin. "The post-war 'Beleriandic' as lingua franca and as a language of Noldor was strongly influenced by Doriath."<ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|2007}}, p. 132</ref> Tolkien set out much about Doriathrin's morphology, and how it contrasts with the other Sindarin dialects, in his linguistic writings:<ref name=WPP17-133 group=T/>

{{blockquote|"Doriathrin preserved in common use the dual of nouns, pronouns, and verbal personal inflexions, as well as a clear distinction between 'general' or 'collective' plurals (as ''elenath''), and 'particular' plurals (as ''elin''). ... But it was none-the-less in a few but important points of phonology marked by changes not universal in Sindarin. Most notable among these was the spirantalizing of ''m'' > nasal ''ṽ'', the nasality of which was, however, never lost in Doriathrin proper until after the dissolution of the "Hidden Realm". ... The changes of ''mp, nt, ñk'', also proceeded earlier and further than in the other dialects."<ref name=WPP17-133 group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|2007}}, p. 133</ref>}}

==== Falathrin ====

The language of the followers of the Elf Círdan, called ''Falathrin'' (''Falassian'' in English), is the other dialect of the Southern Sindarin group. It remained close to the tongue of Doriath because there was great trade between the two groups up to the time of the Wars of Beleriand.<ref name="PoME ch 13" group=T/>

==== North Sindarin ====

North Sindarin was spoken by the {{lang|sjn|Mithrim}}, the northernmost group of the Grey-elves. It differed from the Central Sindarin of Beleriand in many aspects. Originally spoken in Dorthonion and [[Hithlum]], it contained many unique words and was not fully intelligible to the other Elves. The Northern dialect was in many ways more conservative, and later divided itself into a North-Western dialect (Hithlum, Mithrim, Dor-lómin) and a North-Eastern dialect (the highlands of Dorthonion, and the wide plains of Ard-galen to the north of the highlands). This language was at first adopted by the exiled [[Noldor]] after their return to [[Middle-earth]] at Losgar. Later Noldorin Sindarin changed, much owing to the adoption of [[Quenya]] features, and partially because of the love of the Noldor for making linguistic changes. [[Beren]]'s heritage was clear to [[Thingol]] of [[Doriath (Middle-earth)|Doriath]] as he spoke the North Sindarin of his homeland.<ref name=WPP17-134 group=T/>

{{blockquote|"Chief characteristics [of North Sindarin were the] preservation of ''p, t, k'' after nasals and ''l''. Intervocalic ''m'' remained. No ''u'' and ''o'' and ''i/e'' remained distinct – no ''a'' mutation of ''i''. ''S'' was unlenited initially. ''h'' (preserved) medially. ''tt, pp, kk > t, p, k'' medially."<ref name=WPP17-134 group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|2007}}, p. 134.</ref>}}

==== Noldorin Sindarin ====

With the exception of Doriathrin, Sindarin adopted some Quenya features after the return of the Noldor, as well as unique sound changes devised by the Noldor (who loved changing languages):<ref name="WPP p133" group=T/>

{{blockquote|"It was the Noldor who in fact stabilized and made improvements to the 'Common Sindarin' of the days of the Wars, and it was based on West Sindarin. The old North dialect practically died out except in place names as ''Dorlomin, Hithlum'', etc. but for a few scattered and hidden clans of the old Northern group and except in so far as adopted by the [[Sons of Fëanor|Fëanorians]], who had moved east. So that in the days of the Wars, Sindarin was really divided into 'West Sindarin' (including all the Noldor of [[Finrod]] and Fingon), 'East Sindarin' (of the North dialect) was only preserved by the house of Feanor; and 'Central' or ''Doriath''."<ref name="WPP p133" group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|2007}}, p. 133.</ref>}}

In the hidden city of Gondolin, an isolated land, a peculiar dialect developed: "This differed from the standard (of Doriath) (a) in having Western and some Northern elements, and (b) in incorporating a good many Noldorin-Quenya words in more or less Sindarized forms. Thus the city was usually called ''Gondolin'' (from Q. {{lang|qya|Ondolin(dë)}}) with simple replacement of ''g-'', not ''Goenlin'' or ''Goenglin'' [as it would have been in standard Sindarin]".<ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|2007}}, p. 29</ref>

==== In the Second and Third Age ====

'Beleriandic' Sindarin as a [[lingua franca]] of all Elves and many Men, and as the language of the Noldor in exile, was based on Western Sindarin but was strongly influenced by Doriathrin. During the [[Second Age]] Sindarin was a lingua franca for all Elves and their friends (thus it was used to inscribe [[Moria (Middle-earth)#Features of the West-gate|the West-gate of Moria]]), until it was displaced for Men by [[Westron]], which arose in the Third Age as a language heavily influenced by Sindarin. In Gondor at the end of the Third Age, Sindarin was still spoken daily by a few noble Men in the city [[Minas Tirith]]. [[Aragorn]], raised in the safety of the Elvish stronghold of [[Rivendell]],<ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1955}}, Appendix A "The Númenórean Kings"</ref> spoke it fluently.<ref group=T>{{harvnb|Carpenter|2023|loc=#230 to Rhona Beare, 8 June 1961 }}</ref><ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1954a}}, book 1, ch. 12 "Flight to the Ford"</ref>

== Phonology ==

Sindarin was designed with a Welsh-like [[phonology]].<ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|2007}}, p. 135.</ref>{{sfn|Foster|1971}} Stress is as in Latin: on the penult if that is heavy (a closed syllable, long vowel or diphthong) and on the antepenult if the penult is light.{{sfn|Salo|2004|pp=23–24, 32–33}}

=== Consonants ===

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" ! rowspan=2| ! rowspan=2|[[labial consonant|Labial]] ! rowspan=2|[[dental consonant|Dental]] ! colspan=2|[[alveolar consonant|Alveolar]] ! rowspan=2|[[palatal consonant|Palatal]] ! rowspan=2|[[velar consonant|Velar]] ! rowspan=2|[[Uvular consonant|Uvular]] ! rowspan=2|[[glottal consonant|Glottal]] |- !central ![[lateral consonant|lateral]] |- ! [[nasal consonant|Nasal]] | {{IPA link|m}} | | {{IPA link|n}} | | | {{IPA link|ŋ}}{{efn|written {{grapheme|ng}}}} | | |- ! [[Plosive]] | {{IPA link|p}}   {{IPA link|b}} | | {{IPA link|t}}   {{IPA link|d}} | | | {{IPA link|k}}{{efn|written {{grapheme|c}}}}   {{IPA link|ɡ}} | | |- ! [[Fricative]] | {{IPA link|f}}   {{IPA link|v}} | {{IPA link|θ}}{{efn|written {{grapheme|th}}}}   {{IPA link|ð}}{{efn|written {{grapheme|dh}}}} | {{IPA link|s}} | {{IPA link|ɬ}}{{efn|written {{grapheme|lh}} and {{grapheme|ll}} depending on etymology.<ref name="SindLL">{{cite web |last1=Hostetter |first1=Carl F. |author1-link=Carl F. Hostetter |last2=Tolkien |first2=J. R. R. |author2-link=J. R. R. Tolkien |title=Sindarin ll |date=2003 |url=https://www.elvish.org/Tengwestie/articles/Hostetter/sindll.phtml |access-date=21 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031220194214/https://www.elvish.org/Tengwestie/articles/Hostetter/sindll.phtml |archive-date=20 December 2003 |url-status=live}}</ref>}} | | | {{IPA link|χ}}{{efn|written {{grapheme|ch}}}} | {{IPA link|h}} |- ! [[Trill consonant|Trill]] | | | {{IPA link|r̥}}{{efn|written {{grapheme|rh}}}}   {{IPA link|r}} | | | | | |- ! [[Approximant]] | | | | {{IPA link|l}} | {{IPA link|j}} | {{IPA link|ʍ}}{{efn|written {{grapheme|hw}}}}   {{IPA link|w}} | | |} {{notelist}}

The phoneme {{IPA|/f/}} is voiced to {{IPA|[v]}} when final or before {{IPA|/n/}}, but remains written as {{angle bracket|f}}. The sound {{IPA|[f]}} is written {{angle bracket|ph}} when final (''alph'', "swan") or when used to spell a lenited {{IPA|/p/}} (''i-pheriannath'', "the halflings") which becomes {{IPA|[f]}}. Old Sindarin, like [[Common Brittonic]] and [[Old Irish]], also had a spirant ''m'' or nasal ''v'' (IPA: {{IPA|/ṽ/}}), which was transcribed as ''mh''. This merged with {{IPA|/v/}} in later Sindarin. Phonemically, Sindarin {{angle bracket|ch}} aligns with the other velar consonants like {{angle bracket|c}}, {{angle bracket|g}}, {{angle bracket|w}}, etc. but is phonetically the [[voiceless uvular fricative]] {{IPA|/χ/}}.<ref name="SaloFacebook260418">{{cite web |url=https://www.facebook.com/groups/elflangs/permalink/1580897985361653/?comment_id=1581140035337448&notif_id=1524743445013487&notif_t=group_comment&ref=notif |title=''no title'' |date=26 April 2018 |first=David |last=Salo |website=[[Facebook]] |author-link=David Salo |access-date=26 April 2018 |quote=Phonemically it patterns with velars, but phonetically it should be whatever <nowiki><ch></nowiki> is in [[Welsh phonology#Consonants|Welsh]].}}</ref>

==== Orthographic conventions ====

{| class="wikitable" |- ! Letter ! [[help:IPA|IPA]] ! Notes |- | i | {{IPA|j, ɪ iː}} | Represents {{IPA|/j/}} when initial before vowels, {{IPA|/ɪ/}} (short vowel) and {{IPA|/iː/}} (long vowel) everywhere else. |- | ng | {{IPA|ŋ, ŋɡ}} | Represents {{IPA|/ŋ/}} when final, {{IPA|/ŋɡ/}} everywhere else. |- | ph | {{IPA|f}} | Represents {{IPA|/f/}} word-finally (owing to {{angle bracket|f}} being used for {{IPA|/v/}}) and represents mutation of word-initial {{IPA|/p/}} to {{IPA|/f/}}. |- | f | {{IPA|f, v}} | Represents {{IPA|/f/}} everywhere except finally where it is always {{IPA|/v/}}. |}

=== Vowels ===

==== Monophthongs ==== {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" ! [[Vowel]]s !! [[Front vowel|Front]] !! [[Back vowel|Back]] |- ! [[Close vowel|Close]] | {{IPA link|iː}} {{IPA link|yː}} ||{{IPA link|uː}} |- ! [[Near-close vowel|Near-close]] | {{IPA link|ɪ}} {{IPA link|ʏ}} || {{IPA link|ʊ}} |- ! [[Open-mid vowel|Open-mid]] | {{IPA link|ɛ}}(ː) ||{{IPA link|ɔ}}(ː) |- ![[Open vowel|Open]] | colspan="2" |{{IPA link|a}}(ː) |}

An acute signifies a long vowel (á, é, etc.). In a monosyllabic word, a circumflex is used (â, ê, etc.).

In Old Sindarin, there was a vowel similar to German ''ö'' (IPA: {{IPAblink|œ}}), which Tolkien mostly transcribed as ''œ''. Although this was meant to be distinct from the diphthong ''oe'', it was often simply printed ''oe'' in publications like ''[[The Silmarillion]]'', e.g. {{lang|sjn|Nírnaeth Arnoediad}} (read: ''Nírnaeth Arnœdiad''), {{lang|sjn|Goelydh}} (read: ''Gœlydh''). This vowel later came to be pronounced {{IPA|[ɛ]}} and is therefore transcribed as such (e.g. ''Gelydh'').{{sfn|Salo|2004|pp=19–21}}

==== Diphthongs ====

Diphthongs are ''ai'' (pronounced like '''ai'''sle [aɪ]), ''ei'' (d'''ay''' [ɛɪ]), ''ui'' (r'''ui'''n [ʊɪ]), and ''au'' (c'''ow''' [aʊ]). If the last diphthong finishes a word, it is spelt ''aw''. There are also diphthongs ''ae'' and ''oe'' with no English counterparts, similar to pronouncing ''a'' or ''o'' respectively in the same syllable as one pronounces an ''e'' (as in p'''e'''t); IPA {{IPA|[aɛ, ɔɛ]}}. Tolkien had described dialects (such as Doriathrin) and variations in pronunciations (such as that of Gondor), and other pronunciations of ''ae'' and ''oe'' undoubtedly existed.{{sfn|Salo|2004|pp=19–21}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" ! colspan="3" | [[Diphthong]] |- | {{IPA link|ʊ}}{{IPA link|j}} | -||- |- | {{IPA link|ɛ}}{{IPA link|j}} |{{IPA link|ɔ}}{{IPA link|ɛ}}||- |- |{{IPA link|a}}{{IPA link|j}} |{{IPA link|a}}{{IPA link|ɛ}}||{{IPA link|a}}{{IPA link|w}} |}

== Grammar ==

[[File:A Elbereth Gilthoniel-teng.svg|thumb|upright=1.5|''[[A Elbereth Gilthoniel]]'', a poem in Sindarin composed by Tolkien and written in [[Tengwar]], in the mode of [[Beleriand]] ]]

Tolkien wrote that he gave Sindarin "a linguistic character very like (though not identical with) [[Brittonic languages|British-Welsh]] ... because it seems to fit the rather 'Celtic' type of legends and stories told of its speakers".<ref name="Letters_#144">{{harvnb|Carpenter|2023|loc=#144 to [[Naomi Mitchison]], April 1954 }}</ref>

Unlike the largely [[agglutinative language|agglutinative]] Quenya, Sindarin is mainly a [[fusional language]] with some [[analytic language|analytic]] tendencies. It can be distinguished from Quenya by the rarity of vowel endings, and the use of [[voiced plosive]]s ''b d g'', rare in Quenya found only after [[nasal consonant|nasals]] and [[Liquid consonant|liquids]]. Early Sindarin formed plurals by the addition of ''-ī'', which vanished but [[affection (linguistics)|affected]] the preceding vowels (as in Welsh and [[Germanic umlaut|Old English]]): S. {{lang|sjn|Adan}}, pl. {{lang|sjn|[[Edain]]}}, S. {{lang|sjn|Orch}}, pl. ''[[Yrch]]''.{{sfn|Salo|2004|p=94, section 6.2 (see also sections 4.33, 4.37)}} Sindarin forms plurals in multiple ways.{{sfn|Salo|2004|pp=95–100}}

=== Nouns ===

While Sindarin does not have a [[grammatical gender]], it has two systems of [[grammatical number]], similar to Welsh. [[Plural|Singular/plural]] nouns correspond to the singular/plural number system just as in English. Sindarin noun plurals are unpredictable and formed in several ways.{{sfn|Salo|2004|pp=94-100}}

Some Sindarin (and Noldorin) nouns of one syllable form the plural with an ending (usually ''-in''), e.g. {{lang|sjn|Drû}}, pl. {{lang|sjn|Drúin}} "wild men, [[Woses]], Púkel-Men".{{sfn|Salo|2004|p=98}} Others form the plural through vowel change, e.g. {{lang|sjn|golodh}} and {{lang|sjn|gelydh}}, "lore master, sage" (obsolete as a tribal name before the Noldor came back to Beleriand); {{lang|sjn|Moredhel}}, pl. {{lang|sjn|Moredhil}}, "Dark-Elves". Still others form their plurals through some combination of the two, and a few do not change in the plural: {{lang|sjn|Belair}}, "Beleriandic-Elf/Elves" is singular and plural.{{sfn|Salo|2004|pp=94-100}}

The other system of number was called by Tolkien 2nd plural or collective number.<ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|2007}}, p. 26 and p. 45-46.</ref> The nouns in this system form it usually by adding a suffix to the plural (as in Welsh); for example '''''-ath''''', as in {{lang|sjn|elenath}}, "all the stars (in the sky)", but not always, as in {{lang|sjn|Drúath}}. Another ending of the 2nd pl. is ''-rim'', used especially to indicate a race-group: {{lang|sjn|Nogothrim}} "the race of the Dwarves", from pl. {{lang|sjn|Nogoth}} (sg. {{lang|sjn|Nogon}}, "Dwarf"). There exist another such ending '''''-lir''''', as in {{lang|sjn|Nogothlir}}.

The endings '''''-rim''''', '''''-hoth''''', and '''''-waith''''', Sindarin words meaning 'multitude', 'host', and 'people' respectively, are added to a '''singular noun''' to form a 2nd plural, e.g. {{lang|sjn|Gaurhoth}} "the Werewolf-horde" and {{lang|sjn|Gaurwaith}} "wolvish folk", from {{lang|sjn|Gaur}} "werewolf".{{sfn|Salo|2004|pp=99-100}}

==== Plural forms ====

Most Sindarin [[plural]]s are formed by [[apophony|vowel change]] and are characterised by ''[[i-mutation]]''. The Noldorin term for this is ''prestanneth'' "affection of vowels". In an earlier stage of the language, plurals were marked by the suffix ''-ī'', to which the root {{Not a typo|vowel(s)}} [[assimilation (linguistics)#Anticipatory assimilation at a distance|assimilated]], becoming [[Front vowel|fronted]] (and raised if [[Open vowel|low]]); later the final ''-ī'' was lost, leaving the changed root {{Not a typo|vowel(s)}} as the sole marker of the plural. (This process is very similar to the [[Germanic umlaut]] that produced the English forms ''man/men'', ''goose/geese'', and closer still to the Welsh [[affection (linguistics)|i-affection]] plurals in forms like {{lang|sjn|gair/geiriau}} and {{lang|sjn|car/ceir}}.) The resulting plural patterns are:

* In non-final syllables: ** a > e – {{lang|sjn|g'''a'''ladh}} (tree) > {{lang|sjn|g'''e'''laidh}} (trees) ** o > e – {{lang|sjn|n'''o'''goth}} (female dwarf) > {{lang|sjn|n'''e'''gyth}} (female dwarves) (originally became œ, which later became e) ** u > y – {{lang|sjn|t'''u'''lus}} (poplar tree) > {{lang|sjn|t'''y'''lys}} (poplar trees) * In final syllables: ** a with one consonant following > ai – {{lang|sjn|ar'''a'''n}} (king) > {{lang|sjn|er'''ai'''n}} (kings) ** a with consonant cluster following #1 > e – {{lang|sjn|n'''a'''rn}} (saga) > {{lang|sjn|n'''e'''rn}} (sagas) ** a with consonant cluster following #2 > ai – {{lang|sjn| c'''a'''nt}} (outline, shape) > {{lang|sjn|c'''ai'''nt}} (outlines, shapes)([[nasal stop|nasal]] & [[plosive]]) ** a with consonant cluster following #3 > ei – {{lang|sjn|'''a'''lph}} (swan) > {{lang|sjn|'''ei'''lph}} (swans) ([[Liquid consonant|liquid]] & [[Fricative consonant|fricative]]) ** â > ai – {{lang|sjn|t'''â'''l}} (foot) > {{lang|sjn|t'''ai'''l}} (feet) ** e > i – {{lang|sjn|adan'''e'''th}} (mortal woman) > {{lang|sjn|eden'''i'''th}} (mortal women) ** ê > î – {{lang|sjn|h'''ê'''n}} (child) > {{lang|sjn|h'''î'''n}} (children) ** o > y – {{lang|sjn|brann'''o'''n}} (lord) > {{lang|sjn|brenn'''y'''n}} (lords) ** o > e – {{lang|sjn|or'''o'''d}} (mountain) > {{lang|sjn|er'''e'''d}} (mountains) (in some cases) ** ó > ý – {{lang|sjn|b'''ó'''r}} (steadfast man) > {{lang|sjn|b'''ý'''r}} (steadfast men) ** ô > ŷ – {{lang|sjn|th'''ô'''n}} (pine tree) > {{lang|sjn|th'''ŷ'''n}} (pine trees) ** u > y – {{lang|sjn|'''u'''r'''u'''g}} (monster) > {{lang|sjn|'''y'''r'''y'''g}} (monsters) ** û > ui – {{lang|sjn|h'''û'''}} (dog) > {{lang|sjn|h'''ui'''}} (dogs) ** au > oe – {{lang|sjn|n'''au'''g}} (dwarf) > {{lang|sjn|n'''oe'''g}} (dwarves) (cf. German ''au'' > ''äu'') ** aea > ei – {{lang|sjn|'''aea'''r}} (sea) > {{lang|sjn|'''ei'''r}} (seas) (presumably changed further to ''air'' as is common at the end of Sindarin words; "a" actually changes to "ei" before "ai")

Vowels not listed do not undergo any change, such as {{IPA|/y/}} remains as {{IPA|/y/}}, meaning that it is possible for some words to have the same form in the singular and plural.{{sfn|Salo|2004|p=95}}

=== Initial consonant mutations ===

Sindarin has a series of [[initial consonant mutation#Celtic languages|consonant mutations]], varying between dialects as follows.

==== Mutations found in Noldorin ====

The mutations of "early conceptual Noldorin" are defined in Tolkien's ''Lam na Ngoluith, Early Noldorin Grammar''.<ref name="J. R. R. Tolkien. p. 120" group=T>[[J. R. R. Tolkien|Tolkien, J. R. R.]], ''Lam na Ngoluith. Early Noldorin Grammar.'' [[Parma Eldalamberon]] 13, p. 120.</ref>

Mutation is triggered in various ways:

* Soft mutation is triggered by a closely connected word ending in a vowel; the consonant then assumes the form it should have medially.<ref name="J. R. R. Tolkien. p. 120" group=T/> * Hard mutation is due to the gemination of an original initial consonant because of precedence of a closely connected word ending in a plosive.<ref name="J. R. R. Tolkien. p. 120" group=T/> * Nasal mutation is due to a preceding nasal.<ref name="J. R. R. Tolkien. p. 120" group=T/>

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

{| class="wikitable" ! Radical ! Soft ! Hard ! Nasal |- ! b |v (bh) |b |m |- ! d |dh |d |n |- ! g |’ |g |ng |- ! gw |’w |gw |ngw |- !p |b |ph |ph |- !t |d |th |th |- !c |g |ch |ch |- !cw |gw |chw |chw |}

The apostrophe '''’''' indicates [[elision]], and is not necessarily written. Those forms of lenited ''p'' that are pronounced ''f'' are written ''ph'' as mentioned above.

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

{| class="wikitable" |- ! Radical ! Soft ! Hard ! Nasal |- !b |m |b |m |- !d |n |d |n |- !g |ng |g |ng |}

Many of the mutations of Noldorin were taken into Sindarin a few years later. The Sindarin word '''''gwath''''' "shadow" becomes '''''i 'wath''''', "the shadow".<ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|2007}}, p. 41.</ref>

==== Mutations found in Salo's grammar ====

[[David Salo]]'s ''A Gateway to Sindarin'' proposes a more complex set of mutations, based on extrapolation from the Sindarin corpus, as follows<ref name="Salo. Pp. 73–79">{{harvnb|Salo|2004|pp=73–79}}</ref> (empty cells indicate no change):

{| class="wikitable" ! Radical ! Soft ! Nasal ! Stop ! ''Liquid?'' ! Mixed |- ! t /t/ |d /d/ |th /θ/ |th /θ/ |th /θ/ |d /d/ |- ! p /p/ |b /b/ |ph /f/ |ph /f/ |ph /f/ |b /b/ |- ! c /k/ |g /g/ |ch /χ/ |ch /χ/ |ch /χ/ |g /g/ |- ! d /d/ |dh /ð/ |n /n/ | |dh /ð/ | |- ! b /b/ |v /v/ |m /m/ | |v /v/ | |- ! g /g/ |(deleted) |ng /ŋ/ | |(deleted) | |- ! m /m/ |v /v/ | | |v /v/ | |- ! (n)d /d/ |n /n/ |nd /nd/ |nd /nd/ |d /d/ |nd /nd/ |- ! (m)b /b/ |m /m/ |mb /mb/ |mb /mb/ |b /b/ |mb /mb/ |- ! (n)g /g/ |ng /ŋ/ |ng /ŋg/ |n-g /ŋg/ |g /g/ |ng /ŋg/ |- ! lh /ɬ/ |l /l/ |l /l/ |l /l/ |l /l/ |l /l/ |- ! rh /r̥/ |r /r/ |r /r/ |r /r/ |r /r/ |r /r/ |- ! s /s/ |h /h/ | | | |h /h/ |- ! h /h/ |ch /χ/ |ch /χ/ |ch /χ/ |ch /χ/ |ch /χ/ |- ! hw /ʍ/ |chw /χw/ |chw /χw/ |chw /χw/ |chw /χw/ |chw /χw/ |- |}

The nasal mutation however does not affect 'd' and 'g' when found in the clusters 'dr', 'gr', 'gl' or 'gw'.<ref name="Salo. Pp. 73–79"/> By Salo's admission, the liquid mutation is speculative and not attested in Tolkien's writings at the time he wrote ''A Gateway to Sindarin''.<ref name="Salo. Pp. 73–79"/>

=== Pronouns ===

One source is used for the Sindarin pronouns,<ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|2007}}, p. 132.</ref> another for the possessive suffixes.<ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|2007}}, p. 46</ref>

{| class="wikitable" |+ Pronoun |- ! colspan="2" | ! singular ! dual{{efn|used only by speakers from Doriath}} ! plural |- ! rowspan="2" | 1st person ! exclusive | rowspan="2" | -n | -nc, -ngid | -nc |- ! inclusive | -m, -mmid | -m |- ! rowspan="2" | 2nd person ! imperious/familiar | -g | -ch | -g, -gir |- ! formal/polite | -dh | -dh, -dhid | -dh, -dhir |- ! colspan="2" | 3rd person | nil | -st | -r |} {{notelist}}

{| class="wikitable" |+ Possessive suffix |- ! colspan="2" | ! singular ! plural |- ! rowspan="2" | 1st person ! exclusive | rowspan="2" | -en | -enc |- ! inclusive | -em |- ! rowspan="2" | 2nd person ! imperious/familiar | -eg | -eg, -egir |- ! formal/polite | -el | -el, -elir |- ! colspan="2" | 3rd person | -ed | -ent |}

These are subjective forms used in conjugation. Sindarin used objective detached forms, like '''''dhe''''' (2nd pers. formal/polite singular).<ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|2007}}, p. 26</ref>

Sindarin pronouns could combine with prepositions as in [[Celtic languages]], [[Colloquial Welsh prepositions|Welsh]]: {{lang|cy|inni}} "to/for us" from {{lang|cy|i}} 'to/for' and {{lang|cy|ni}} 'we/us'.<ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|2007}}, p. 38</ref> '''annin''' "for/to me".<ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|2007}}, p. 147</ref> The first person singular pronoun suffixes could combine with nouns: '''Lamm''', "tongue" > '''lammen''' "my tongue".{{sfn|Salo|2004|p=106}}

=== Verbs ===

Tolkien wrote that Quenya inflections were pretty regular,<ref group=T>[[J. R. R. Tolkien|Tolkien, J. R. R.]], "Early Qenya Grammar", ''[[Parma Eldalamberon]]'' 14, p. 56.</ref> but that "Sindarin verbal history is complicated."<ref name="J. R. R. Tolkien p. 43" group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|2007}}, p. 43.</ref> About '''''-ant''''', the 3rd person past tense ending of Sindarin, he wrote: "it is rather like that of Medieval Welsh ''-as'', or modern Welsh [3p sing.] ''-odd''." So with {{lang|sjn|'''teith-'''}} "make marks of signs, write, inscribe", {{lang|sjn|'''teithant'''}} is the 3rd person singular past tense.<ref name="J. R. R. Tolkien p. 43" group=T/> Cf. Welsh {{lang|cy|chwaraeodd ef}}, "he played" (< {{lang|cy|chwarae}} 'to play' + {{lang|cy|-odd}} and {{lang|cy|ef}} 'he'). ''-ant'' is the Welsh 3p ''plural'' ending: {{lang|cy|chwaraeant hwy}} 'they (will) play'.{{sfn|Giraudeau|2011|p=7}}

==== Basic verbs ====

Basic verbs form the [[infinitive]] by adding ''-i'': {{lang|sjn|giri}} from {{lang|sjn|gir-}}. This ending causes an ''a'' or ''o'' in the stem to [[Umlaut (diacritic)|umlaut]] to ''e'': {{lang|sjn|blebi}} from {{lang|sjn|blab-}}. The infinitive is not used as a noun;{{sfn|Salo|2004|pp=111–112}} the [[gerund]] is used instead.{{sfn|Salo|2004|p=114}}

For all persons except the third person singular, the present tense is formed by the insertion of ''-i'', and the proper enclitic pronominal ending: {{lang|sjn|girin}}, {{lang|sjn|girim}}, {{lang|sjn|girir}}. As with the infinitive, ''-i'' causes an ''a'' or ''o'' in the stem to umlaut to ''e'': {{lang|sjn|pedin}}, {{lang|sjn|pedim}}, {{lang|sjn|pedir}}, from {{lang|sjn|pad-}}. The third person singular, because it has a zero-ending, does not require the insertion of ''-i''. This leaves the bare stem, which, because of Sindarin's phonological history, causes the vowel of the stem to become long: {{lang|sjn|gîr}}, {{lang|sjn|blâb}}, {{lang|sjn|pâd}}.{{sfn|Salo|2004|pp=112–113}}

The past tense of basic verbs is very complicated and poorly attested. One common reconstructed system is to use ''-n'': {{lang|sjn|darn}}. However, the only time this ''-n'' actually remains is after a stem in ''-r''. After a stem ending in ''-l'', ''-n'' becomes ''-ll'': {{lang|sjn|toll}}. After ''-b, -d, -g, -v,'' or ''-dh'', it is [[Metathesis (linguistics)|metathesized]] and then [[Assimilation (phonology)|assimilated]] to the same place of articulation as the consonant it now precedes. The consonant then experiences what could be called a "backwards mutation": ''-b, -d,'' and ''-g'' become ''-p, -t,'' and ''-c'', and ''-v'' and ''-dh'' become ''-m'' and ''-d''. The matter is complicated even further when pronominal endings are added. Because ''-mp, -mb, -nt, -nd,'' and ''-nc'' did not survive medially, they become ''-mm-, -mm-, -nn-, -nn-,'' and ''-ng''. In addition, past tense stems in ''-m'' would have ''-mm-'' before any pronominal endings. These examples show the transformations step-by-step:

* ''cab-'' > **''cabn'' > **''canb'' > **''camb'' > ''camp'', becoming ''camm-'' with any pronominal endings. * ''ped-'' > **''pedn'' > **''pend'' > ''pent'', becoming ''penn-'' with any pronominal endings. * ''dag-'' > **''dagn'' > **''dang'' (''n'' pronounced as in ''men'') > **''dang'' (''n'' pronounced as in ''sing'') > ''danc'', becoming ''dang-'' with any pronominal endings. * ''lav-'' > **''lavn'' > **''lanv'' > **''lanm'' > **''lamm'' > ''lam'', becoming ''lamm-'' before any pronominal endings. * ''redh-'' > **''redhn'' > **''rendh'' > **''rend'' > ''rend'', becoming ''renn-'' before any pronominal endings.

The future tense is formed by the addition of ''-tha''. An ''-i'' is also inserted between the stem and ''-tha'', which again causes ''a'' and ''o'' to umlaut to ''e''. Endings for all persons except for the first person singular can be added without any further modification: {{lang|sjn|giritham}}, {{lang|sjn|blebithar}}. The first person singular ending ''-n'' causes the ''-a'' in ''-tha'' to become ''-o'': {{lang|sjn|girithon}}, {{lang|sjn|blebithon}}, {{lang|sjn|pedithon}}.{{sfn|Salo|2004|p=115}}

The imperative is formed with the addition of ''-o'' to the stem: {{lang|sjn|giro!}}, {{lang|sjn|pado!}}, {{lang|sjn|blabo!}}.{{sfn|Salo|2004|p=121}} <!-- ==== Derived verbs ==== Source?

Derived verbs have a much less complex conjugation, because they have a thematic vowel (usually ''a''), which reduces the number of consonant combinations. The infinitive is formed with -o, which replaces the -a of the stem, e. g. {{lang|sjn|lacho}} from {{lang|sjn|lacha-}}. The present tense is formed without modification to the stem. Pronominal endings are added without any change, except with the first person singular enclitic -n, where the final vowel becomes an o, e.g. {{lang|sjn|renion}} < {{lang|sjn|renia}} – I wander. The past tense is formed with the ending ''-nt'', which becomes ''-nne'' with any pronominal endings, e. g. {{lang|sjn|erthant}}, {{lang|sjn|erthanner}}. The future tense is formed with ''-tha''. With the addition of the first person singular ''-n'', this becomes ''-tho''.-->

== Vocabulary ==

As of 2008, about 25,000 Elvish words have been published.<ref>According to the French linguist Edouard Kloczko in ''L'Encyclopédie des Elfes'', Le Pré aux Clercs (2008), {{ISBN|978-2-84228-325-4}}, p. 145.</ref>

{| class="wikitable" ! Meaning || Sindarin || Pronunciation || Quenya equivalent |-- | earth || {{lang|sjn|'''amar'''}}, '''ceven''' || {{IPA|sjn|ˈamar|}} {{IPA|sjn|ˈkɛvɛn|}} || {{lang|qya|ambar, cemen}} |-- | sky || {{lang|sjn|'''menel'''}} || {{IPA|sjn|ˈmɛnɛl|}} || {{lang|qya|menel}} |-- | water || {{lang|sjn|'''nen'''}} || {{IPA|sjn|ˈnɛn|}} || {{lang|qya|nén}} |-- | fire || {{lang|sjn|'''naur'''}} || {{IPA|sjn|ˈnaʊ̯r|}} || {{lang|qya|nár}} |-- | man (male) || {{lang|sjn|'''benn'''}} || {{IPA|sjn|ˈbɛnː|}} || {{lang|qya|nér}} |-- | female || {{lang|sjn|'''bess'''}} || {{IPA|sjn|ˈbɛsː|}} || {{lang|qya|nís}} |-- | eat || {{lang|sjn|'''mad-'''}} || {{IPA|sjn|ˈmad|}} || {{lang|qya|mat-}} |-- | drink || {{lang|sjn|'''sog-'''}} || {{IPA|sjn|ˈsɔɡ|}} || {{lang|qya|suc-}} |-- | big, great || {{lang|sjn|'''beleg, daer'''}} || {{IPA|sjn|ˈbɛlɛɡ|}} {{IPA|sjn|ˈdaɛ̯r|}} || {{lang|qya|alta, halla}} |-- | race, tribe || {{lang|sjn|'''noss'''}} || {{IPA|sjn|ˈnɔsː|}}|| {{lang|qya|nóre}} |-- | night || {{lang|sjn|'''dû'''}} || {{IPA|sjn|ˈduː|}} || {{lang|qya|lóme}} |-- | day || {{lang|sjn|'''aur'''}} || {{IPA|sjn|ˈaʊ̯r|}} || {{lang|qya|aure}}, ''ré'' |}

The lexicons of ''[[Gnomish]]'', ''[[Noldorin]]'' and ''Sindarin'' lack modern vocabulary (television, motor, etc.). [[Tolkien fandom|Tolkien fans]] have extended Sindarin to enable it to be spoken.{{sfn|Jallings|2017|loc=Introduction: "What is 'Neo' Sindarin?"}}

=== Numerals ===

According to Tolkien, the elves preferred [[duodecimal]] counting (base 12) to the [[Dúnedain]]'s [[decimal]] system (base 10: Quenya ''maquanotië'', *''quaistanótië''), though the two systems seem to have coexisted. The numbers 1–12 are presented below (reconstructed forms are marked with an asterisk *), as well as a few higher numbers.{{sfn|Salo|2004|pp=399–400}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" ! colspan=2 | [[Cardinal number]]s ! colspan=2 | [[Ordinal number]]s |- ! Sindarin ! English ! Sindarin ! English |- | {{lang|sjn|er, min}} | one | {{lang|sjn|mein, main, minui}} | first |- | {{lang|sjn|tad}} | two | {{lang|sjn|taid, tadui}} | second |- | {{lang|sjn|neledh}} | three | {{lang|sjn|neil, nail, nelui}} | third |- | {{lang|sjn|canad}} | four | {{lang|sjn|canthui}} | fourth |- | {{lang|sjn|leben}} | five | {{lang|sjn|levnui}} | fifth |- | {{lang|sjn|eneg}} | six | {{lang|sjn|enchui, enecthui}} | sixth |- | {{lang|sjn|odo, odog}} | seven | {{lang|sjn|othui, odothui}} | seventh |- | {{lang|sjn|tolodh}} | eight | {{lang|sjn|tollui}} | eighth |- | {{lang|sjn|neder}} | nine | {{lang|sjn|nedrui}} | ninth |- | {{lang|sjn|pae}} or {{lang|sjn|caer}} | ten | {{lang|sjn|paenui}} or {{lang|sjn|caenen}} | tenth |- | {{lang|sjn|minib}} | eleven | | |- | {{lang|sjn|ýneg}} | twelve | | |- | *{{lang|sjn|nelphae}} | thirty | | |- | {{lang|sjn|host}} | one hundred and forty-four (gross) | | |- | *{{lang|sjn|meneg}} | thousand | | |}

The form *{{lang|sjn|nelchaen}} (extracted from {{lang|sjn|nelchaenen}}) appears in the King's Letter, but at the time the roots for ten were {{lang|sjn|KAYAN}} and {{lang|sjn|KAYAR}}, resulting in Sindarin *{{lang|sjn|caen}}, {{lang|sjn|caer}}. This was later changed to {{lang|sjn|KWAYA}}, {{lang|sjn|KWAY-AM}}, resulting in Sindarin {{lang|sjn|pae}}, so that this older form must be updated. The word *{{lang|sjn|meneg}} is extracted from the name ''[[Menegroth]]'', "the Thousand Caves", although this could technically be a base-12 "thousand" (i.e., 123 or 1,728).{{sfn|Salo|2004|pp=399–400}}

== Scholarship and fandom ==

Two magazines—''[[Vinyar Tengwar]]'', from issue 39 (July 1998), and ''[[Parma Eldalamberon]]'', from issue 11 (1995)—are exclusively devoted to the editing and publishing of Tolkien's gigantic mass of unpublished linguistic papers. These are published at a slow pace and the editors have not published a comprehensive catalogue of these unpublished linguistic papers. Access to the original documents is severely limited as [[Christopher Tolkien]] omitted them from his 12-volume ''[[The History of Middle-earth]]''. Many new-found words of Sindarin, Noldorin and Ilkorin have been published and the grammar rules of these languages disclosed.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.elvish.org/VT/ |title=Vinyar Tengwar |last=Hostetter |first=Carl F. |author-link=Carl F. Hostetter |publisher=[[Elvish Linguistic Fellowship]] |access-date=1 January 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eldalamberon.com/parma1.html |title=Parma Eldalamberon |publisher=[[Elvish Linguistic Fellowship]] |access-date=1 January 2011 |quote=Parma Eldalamberon ... The Book of Elven Tongues ... is a journal of linguistic studies of fantasy literature, especially of the Elvish languages and nomenclature in the works of J.R.R. Tolkien. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110709162701/http://www.eldalamberon.com/parma1.html |archive-date=9 July 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Attempts by [[Tolkien fandom|Tolkien fans]] to write in Sindarin began in the 1970s, when the total corpus of published Elvish was only a few hundred words. Since then, usage of Elvish has flourished in poems and texts, phrases and names, and tattoos. But Tolkien himself never intended to make his languages complete enough for conversation; as a result, newly invented Elvish texts, such as dialogue written by the linguist [[David Salo]] to be [[Music of The Lord of the Rings film series#Use of Middle-earth languages|sung to the musical score]] for [[Peter Jackson]]'s [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''Lord of the Rings'' films]], require conjecture and sometimes coinage of new words.<ref name="Phoenix New Times">{{cite web |url=http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/2001-12-20/culture/talkin-tolkien/1 |title=Talkin' Tolkien |accessdate=14 November 2007 |first=Robert |last=Wilonsky |work=[[Phoenix New Times]] |archive-date=28 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120728195324/http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/2001-12-20/culture/talkin-tolkien/1/ |url-status=dead}}</ref>

== References ==

=== Primary ===

=== Secondary ===

=== Sources ===

{{refbegin}} * Bellet, Bertrand. [http://www.elvish.org/Tengwestie/articles/Bellet/noldplur.phtml "Noldorin Plurals in the Etymologies." ''Tengwestië'' (2005)]. * {{ME-ref|Letters}} * Derzhanski, Ivan A. "Peth i dirathar aen: Some Notes on Eldarin Relative Constructions." ''[[Vinyar Tengwar]]'' 38 (1997): 9–13, 18. * {{cite journal |last=Foster |first=Robert |author-link=Robert Foster (author) |title=Sindarin and Quenya Phonology |journal=Mythcon Proceedings |volume=1 |issue=2 |at=article 16 |date=1971 |url=https://dc.swosu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1015&context=mythpro}} * Gilson, Christopher. "Gnomish is Sindarin: The Conceptual Evolution of an Elvish Language." In ''[[Tolkien's Legendarium: Essays on The History of Middle-earth]]'', edited by [[Verlyn Flieger]] and [[Carl F. Hostetter]], 95-104. Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood, 2000. * {{cite web |last1=Giraudeau |first1=David |title=Parma Eldalamberon 17 Sindarin Corpus |url=http://lambenore.free.fr/downloads/PE17_S.pdf |website=Lambenórë |id=version 1.2 |date=2011}} * Hemmi, Yoko. "Tolkien's ''The Lord of the Rings'' and His Concept of ''Native Language'': Sindarin and British-Welsh." ''Tolkien Studies'' (2010): 147–74. * {{cite encyclopedia |last=Hostetter |first=Carl F. |author-link=Carl F. Hostetter |title=Languages Invented by Tolkien |editor-last=Drout |editor-first=Michael D. C. |editor-link=Michael D. C. Drout |encyclopedia=[[J. R. R. Tolkien Encyclopedia]] |year=2013 |orig-year=2007 |publisher=[[Routledge]] |isbn=978-0-415-86511-1 |pages=332–344}} * [[Carl F. Hostetter|Hostetter, Carl F.]] "The 'King's Letter': An Historical and Comparative Analysis." ''[[Vinyar Tengwar]]'' 31 (1993): 12–34. * [[Carl F. Hostetter|Hostetter, Carl F.]] [http://www.elvish.org/Tengwestie/articles/Hostetter/noldpat.phtml "The Past-Tense Verb in the Noldorin of the Etymologies."] ''Tengwestië'' (2003). * [[Carl F. Hostetter|Hostetter, Carl F.]] "I Lam na Ngoldathon: The Grammar and Lexicon of the Gnomish Tongue." In ''[[J. R. R. Tolkien Encyclopedia]]: Scholarship and Critical Assessment'', ed. [[Michael D.C. Drout]], pp. 291–92. New York: [[Routledge]], 2007. * [[Carl F. Hostetter|Hostetter, Carl F.]] [http://www.elvish.org/Tengwestie/articles/Hostetter/sindll.phtml "The Two Phonetic Values of ll in Elvish Sindarin in the Lord of the Rings"] ''Tengwestië'' (2003). * {{cite book |last1=Jallings |first1=Fiona |title=A Fan's Guide to Neo-Sindarin: A Textbook for the Elvish of Middle-earth |date=2017 |publisher=NEMVUS |isbn=978-0-9974321-1-4}} * Marmor, Paula; Krieg, Laurence; Strecker, David. "Initial Consonant Mutation in Celtic and Sindarin." ''[[Parma Eldalamberon]]'' 4 (1974): 12–16. * Martínez, Helios De Rosario. [http://www.elvish.org/Tengwestie/articles/DeRosarioMartinez/lightandtree.phtml "Light and Tree: A Survey Through the External History of Sindarin." ''Tengwestië'' (2005).] * {{cite book |last=Salo |first=David |author-link=David Salo |title=Gateway to Sindarin: a grammar of an Elvish language from J. R. R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings |publisher=[[University of Utah Press]] |date=2004 |isbn=978-0874809121}} * {{ME-ref|FOTR}} * {{ME-ref|ROTK}} * {{ME-ref|Silm}} * {{ME-ref|PoME}} * {{cite journal |last=Tolkien |first=J. R. R. |author-link=J. R. R. Tolkien |title=Words, Phrases and Passages in Various Tongues in The Lord of the Rings |editor-last=Gilson |editor-first=Christopher |journal=[[Parma Eldalamberon]] |year=2007 |issue=17}} * Welden, Bill. "On the Formation of Plurals in Sindarin." ''[[Parma Eldalamberon]]'' 1, no. 1 (1971): 10–11. {{refend}}

== External links ==

* [http://www.uib.no/People/hnohf/ Ardalambion] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031205011802/http://www.uib.no/People/hnohf/ |date=2003-12-05 }}, [[Helge Fauskanger]]'s site on Tolkien's languages *[https://glaemscrafu.jrrvf.com/english/sindarin.html Glǽmscrafu] * [https://ardalambion.net/sindarin.htm Helge Fauskanger's page on Sindarin] * [http://nousoft.free.fr/hesperides.html Hesperides] (port of Dragon Flame, a Sindarin and Noldorin dictionary, for [[Mac OS X]])

[[Category:Fusional languages]] [[Category:Middle-earth languages]] [[Category:Grey Elves| ]] [[Category:Constructed languages]] [[Category:Constructed languages introduced in the 1940s]]