Different regions- different languages - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

The Evenstar · 04-02-2003, 12:37 PM

I know there are two kinds of Elvish - Sindarin and Quenya. But would these types of Elvish be spoken in different Elven regions? e.g. Quenya in spoken Mirkwood, Sindarin spoken in Lothlorien. Please reply

Hanna_Gamgee · 04-02-2003, 02:15 PM

I believe Sindarin is spoken in most elvish areas of Middle Earth. Quenya is mostly only spoken by the Eldar in Valinor and used as a language of lore in Middle Earth.

Scott · 04-02-2003, 10:19 PM

Correct Hanna. Quenya was the language the elves used in Valannor and that Feanor brought to Beleriand when he left. In Beleriand he came across Sindarin, the Grey-Elven or Noble tongue spoken mainly by the people of Thingol and Melian. From then on Sindarin was the language of choice in common speech. Quenya was reerved for formal farewells, such as Namarie; special occasions, such as coronations; and spells and records, such as Saruman's weather spell spoken atop Orthanc. The people of Numenor as well as the Dunedain and Gondorians also kept Quenya in reserve for special ceremonies and occasions. There are also a few other elven languages such as Telerin, but these two are the main ones.

As for a separation of language due to region, I know that two different forms of Sindarin were spoken in Middle Earth, basically one for the Western half and one for the Eastern half, but if I'm correct the main differences lie in the stresses, pronunciation, and spelling.

For more Tolkien Language help, visit: www.ardalambion.com
Or, thumb through the Silmarillion and etymologies.

~Scott

04-02-2003, 12:37 PM	#1
The Evenstar Wight Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Rivendell Posts: 103	Different regions- different languages I know there are two kinds of Elvish - Sindarin and Quenya. But would these types of Elvish be spoken in different Elven regions? e.g. Quenya in spoken Mirkwood, Sindarin spoken in Lothlorien. Please reply __________________ "The love of the Elves for their land and their works is deeper than the deeps of the sea." - Galadriel

04-02-2003, 02:15 PM	#2
Hanna_Gamgee Animated Skeleton Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: The Shire section of Antarctica Posts: 37	I believe Sindarin is spoken in most elvish areas of Middle Earth. Quenya is mostly only spoken by the Eldar in Valinor and used as a language of lore in Middle Earth. __________________ Aragorn: 'Out of the Great Sea to Middle-earth I am come. In this place will I abide, and my heirs, unto the ending of the world.

04-02-2003, 10:19 PM	#3
Scott Wight Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Ohio/Grey Havens Posts: 183	Correct Hanna. Quenya was the language the elves used in Valannor and that Feanor brought to Beleriand when he left. In Beleriand he came across Sindarin, the Grey-Elven or Noble tongue spoken mainly by the people of Thingol and Melian. From then on Sindarin was the language of choice in common speech. Quenya was reerved for formal farewells, such as Namarie; special occasions, such as coronations; and spells and records, such as Saruman's weather spell spoken atop Orthanc. The people of Numenor as well as the Dunedain and Gondorians also kept Quenya in reserve for special ceremonies and occasions. There are also a few other elven languages such as Telerin, but these two are the main ones. As for a separation of language due to region, I know that two different forms of Sindarin were spoken in Middle Earth, basically one for the Western half and one for the Eastern half, but if I'm correct the main differences lie in the stresses, pronunciation, and spelling. For more Tolkien Language help, visit: www.ardalambion.com Or, thumb through the Silmarillion and etymologies. ~Scott __________________ Those who the Gods would destroy, They first make mad. ~Those Crazy Greeks