The elf is an artificial language invented by J. R. R. Tolkien, the author of "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings". There are two main dialects of Elic, Quenya and Sindarin: before starting, it's up to you to decide which one you want to learn. In any case, learning the elf can be very difficult, but also fun and rewarding. Read on to learn more.
Steps
Part 1 of 5: The Principles of Quenya
Step 1. Learn to speak some Elvish Quenya
Quenya is one of the two languages most commonly spoken by the elves, in particular it is the language of the Calaquenti (the High Elves).
- Quenya has undergone several changes since its creation. Primitive Quenya, also called "classical Quenya" or "First Age Quenya", was the oldest form of this language.
- Most of the Quenya that can be learned online or in books is "Modern Quenya", or "Third Age Quenya". This version mixes Tolkien's original lexicon and grammar with reconstructions perpetuated by modern enthusiasts.
Step 2. Learn to pronounce vowels
Quenya vowels have a distinct pronunciation that does not vary according to their position within words. Long and short vowels differ only in terms of length, not quality or training. Long vowels are distinguished by a graphic accent. The pronunciation is identical to the Italian or Spanish one.
- á = “aaaah” long
- a = "ah" short
- é = "eeeh" long
- e = "eh" short
- í = long "iih"
- i = "ih" short
- ó = “oooh” long
- o = "o" short
- ú = “uuuh” long
- u = "uh" short
Step 3. Learn the diphthongs of Quenya
A diphthong is a pair of vowels that form a single sound. In Quenya there are only six, and if there are other vowels alongside these, they must be pronounced separately. The pronunciation is identical to the Italian or Spanish one.
- ai [ɑɪ̯]
- au [au̯]
- eu [eu̯]
- iu [ju]
- oi [oɪ̯]
- ui [uɪ̯]
Step 4. Remember some peculiarities of consonants
Most consonants are pronounced in the same way as in Italian, but there are particular rules that must be considered.
- c = always pronounced k [k]
- h = pronounced aspirated at the beginning of a word and becomes ch [ç] or k [x] when placed between consonants. It is silent in the combinations hw, hy, hl, hr
- ng = as in Italian, it is pronounced [ŋg]
- r = vibrating alveolar [r]
- s = always deaf [s]
- y = always a voiced consonant, regardless of the position in the word [j]
- qu = as in Italian, the "u" has no vowel value.
Step 5. Learn the rules of accentuation
Knowing which syllables to stress affects the sound of this elven language.
- When a word is made up of two syllables, the accent goes to the first.
- When the word is made up of three syllables or more, the accent goes to the last third. This rule always applies, unless the penultimate syllable contains a long vowel, a diphthong or a long vowel followed by a consonant group (a series of two or more consonants attached to each other); in this case, the emphasis is on the penultimate.
Part 2 of 5: Some Useful Quenya Phrases
Step 1. Learn to greet someone
There are many ways of greeting in Quenya, and some are simpler than others.
- Aiya (/'aj.ja/) means "Hey!" and is used when trying to get attention or looking for help.
- At the (/'al.la/) means "Health" and is used to exchange greetings.
- Alatulya (/a.ˈla.tu.lʲa/) means "Welcome".
- Elen síla lúmenn 'omentielvo (/ˈƐ.lɛn ˈsi:.la lu:.ˈmɛn nɔ.mɛn.ti.ˈɛl.vɔ /) means "a star shines on the hour of our meeting".
Step 2. Learn to say hello when leaving
Just as there are many ways to say goodbye when you meet, there are also many ways to say goodbye when you say goodbye.
- Namárië (/na.ˈma:.ri.ɛ/) means "Goodbye".
- Márienna (/ma:.ri.ˈɛn.na/) means "goodbye" or "may you go to happiness".
- Alámenë (/a.ˈla:.mɛ.nɛ/) means “go with our blessings”.
- Mauya nin avánië (/ˈMau.ja ˈnin a.ˈva:.ni.ɛ /) means "I must go".
Step 3. Ask someone if the elf speaks
You will need to ask someone if they know elf, whether you want to practice Quenya or if you want to talk to it. If you ask this in Quenya, it means that you are specifically asking if that person is speaking in this Elvish dialect.
-
Ask But istal quet 'Eldarin?
(/ ˈMa ˈis.tal ˈkʷɛ ˈtɛl.da.rin /).
- If someone asks you this question, you can answer that you speak elven, by saying Istan quet 'Eldarin (/ˈIs.tan ˈkʷɛ ˈtɛl.da.rin /).
Step 4. Insult someone in elven
If you want to insult someone in a unique way, you can try using Quenya.
-
Wish bad luck with Aica umbar!
(/ˈAj.ka ˈum.bar /).
- Tell someone "the wind gushes from your mouth", with Súrë túla cendeletyallo (/ˈSu:.rɛ ˈtu:.la kɛn.dɛ.lɛ.ˈtʲal.lɔ /).
- Tell him "go make out with an ogre," with Eca, a mitta lambetya cendelessë orcova (/ˈƐ.ka ˌa ˈmit.ta ˈlam.bɛ.tʲa kɛn.dɛ.ˈlɛs.sɛ ˈɔr.kɔ.va /).
Step 5. Give a compliment in Elvish
Compensate your knowledge of elven insults with compliments to bestow on the people you appreciate.
- Melin tirië hendutya sílalë yá lalat (/ˈMɛ.lin ˈti.ri.ɛ ˈhɛn.du.tʲa ˈsi:.la.lɛ ˈja: ˈla.lat /), means “I love to see your eyes shine when you laugh”.
- To say "I love you", say Melin (/ˈMɛ.lin/), followed by the person's name.
Step 6. Give thanks
To maintain the noble and polite spirit of the elves, you need to know how to give thanks.
Say a simple "thank you", with Hantanyel (/ˈHan.ta.nʲɛl/).
Part 3 of 5: The Principles of Sindarin
Step 1. What is Sindarin elf?
Sindarin is the other of the most popular languages among the elves. In particular, this is the language of the Sindar (the Gray Elves).
- As with Quenya, Sindarin has undergone several changes from the First Age to the Third Age of Middle-earth.
- Although there is some information about First Age Sindarin, much of the information found online and in books is about Third Age Sindarin, which is considered modern Sindarin.
Step 2. Learn to pronounce vowels
All Sindarin vowels are short, except "í". The duration of these short vowels increases when a graphic accent is placed on them. The pronunciation of vowels does not vary depending on their position within the words, and is identical to that of Italian and Spanish.
- a = pronounced [ɑ]
- e = pronounced [ɛ]
- i = pronounced [ɪ] - if placed at the beginning of a word and in front of another vowel, it has the sound [j]
- í and î = pronounced [ɪ:].
- o = is an open "o" [ɔ]
- u = pronounced [u]
- y = is considered a vowel and is pronounced like the French "u" [y]
Step 3. Learn Sindarin diphthongs
Each of the six Sindarin diphthongs is made up of a single sound. However, if there are other vowels alongside these, they must be pronounced separately. The pronunciation is identical to Italian and Spanish. On diphthongs the emphasis is always on the first element.
- ai [ɑɪ̯]
- ei [eɪ̯]
- ui [uɪ̯]
- au [au] ([aw] at the end of the word)
- ae [ae]
- oe [oe]
Step 4. Remember some peculiarities of consonants
Most consonants are pronounced the same as in Italian, but there are particular rules that need to be considered. Some consonants are voiced, which means they must vibrate the vocal cords, while others are deaf. Also, double consonants have a longer sound than single ones.
- c = is always hard, pronounced [k]
- ch = is always pronounced [k], never [c], it is considered a single consonant.
- dh = pronounced like the English “th” [θ], it is considered a single consonant
- f = at the end of a word is used to represent the sound [v]
- g = is always hard [ɡ], never [ʤ].
- l = sonorous, sound "l"
- l = deaf, sound "l"
- ng = pronounced with little intensity at the end or at the beginning of a word, but it is heard within a word
- ph = sound [f]
- r = always vibrating alveolar [r]
- rh = r deaf, pronounced [ŗ]
- s = deaf, pronounced [s]
- th = pronounced as in English [θ] and is considered a single consonant
- v = is silent when it appears at the end of a word
- hw = deaf consonant, pronounced like a deaf w
Step 5. Learn to accent Sindarin words correctly
There are three simple rules to remember when learning how to place accents on Sindarin words.
- When a word is made up of two syllables, the accent falls on the first.
- When a word is made up of three or more syllables, the accendo falls on the penultimate syllable if it contains a long vowel, a diphthong or a vowel followed by a series of consonants.
- When a word is made up of three or more syllables, and the penultimate syllable has a short vowel followed by a single vowel or no vowel, the accent falls on the syllable preceding it.
Part 4 of 5: Some Useful Phrases in Sindarin
Step 1. Learn to greet someone
There are many Sindarin phrases that can be used to greet someone, from the simplest to the most complex.
-
To the!
(/ ˈAj /) means "Health!"
- Êl síla erin lû e-govaned vîn (/ ˈƐ: l̡ ˈsiˑ.la ˈɛ.rin ˈlu: ɛ ˈgɔ.va.nɛd ˈvi: n /) means "a star shines on the hour of our meeting".
-
Mae g'ovannen!
(/ ˈMaɛ gɔ.ˈvan.nɛn /) means “You are welcome” in a family / informal setting.
-
Mae l'ovannen!
(/ ˈMaɛ lɔ.ˈvan.nɛn /) means "You are welcome" in a formal setting.
- Gi nathlam hí (/ gi ˈnaθ.lam ˈhiˑ /) means "You are welcome in this place" in a family environment.
- Le nathlam hí (/ lɛ ˈnaθ.lam ˈhiˑ /) means "You are welcome here" in a formal setting.
Step 2. Learn to say hello when you leave
As with welcome greetings, there are many ways to say goodbye to farewell in Elvish Sindarin, from the simplest to the most complex versions.
- No veren (/ nɔ ˈvɛ.rɛn /) means "yes joyful".
- Novaer (/ˈNɔ.vaɛr/) means "goodbye".
- Galu (/'ga.lu/) means "good luck".
- Boe i 'waen (/ ˈBɔɛ i ˈwaɛn /) means "I must go".
- Guren * níniatha n'i lû n'i a-govenitham (/ˈGu.rɛn niˑ.ˈni.a.θa ni ˈlu: ni a.gɔ.ˈvɛ.ni.θam /) means “my heart will cry until I see you again”.
- Losto vae (/ˈLɔs.tɔ ˈvaɛ /) means "sleep well".
Step 3. Ask someone if the elf speaks
You will need to ask someone if they know the elf, whether you want to practice Sindarin or if you want to talk to him. If you ask this in Sindarin, it means that you are specifically asking if that person is speaking in Sindarin Elvish.
-
Ask Pedig edhellen?
(/ˈPɛ.dig ɛ.ˈðɛl̡.lɛn /), if you are in an informal setting, or Pedil edhellen?
(/ˈPɛ.dil̡ ɛ.ˈðɛl̡.lɛn /) in the formal context.
- If someone asks you if you speak elven, answer them Pedin edhellen (/ˈPɛ.din ɛ.ˈðɛl̡.lɛn /).
Step 4. Insult in elven
There are times when insulting in Italian is not enough. That's why you can always use an insult in Sindarin.
- Say "you smell like a monster", using Sevig thû úan (/ˈSɛ.vig ˈθu: ˈuˑ.an /).
- Say "your head is empty", using Dôl gîn lost (/ ˈDɔ: l ˈgi: n ˈlɔst /).
- Tell someone to "go and kiss an ogre", saying Ego, mibo orch (/ˈƐ.gɔ ˈmi.bɔ ˈɔrx /).
Step 5. Give compliments in Elvish
Just as there are various insults in Sindarin, there are also various compliments in Sindarin that you can bestow on the people you care about.
- Tell someone "I love to see your eyes shine when you laugh," saying Gellon ned i galar i chent gîn ned i gladhog (/ˈGɛl̡.lɔn ˈnɛd i ˈga.lar i ˈxɛnt ˈgi: n ˈnɛd i ˈgla.ðɔg /).
- Say "I love you" with the formula Gi melin (/ gi ˈmɛ.lin /).
Step 6. Give thanks
Elves are a polite race, keep the elven spirit by learning to thank someone for being nice to you.
Say a simple "thank you" with the formula No up there (/ ˈNi ˈlas.suj /).
Part 5 of 5: Further Studies and Practice
Step 1. Find online guides or books that talk about the subject
There are an incredible number of websites and books available that will help you learn both Quenya and Sindarin with great accuracy. Many online guides are free, and many of the books available on the market are affordable.
- If you go looking for books in Elvish, invest in purchasing an Italian-Elven dictionary that allows you to translate specific terms, and a language guide that teaches you the basics of grammar.
- If you want an Italian-Elvish dictionary but don't want to buy it, you can find some online.
Step 2. Practice on your own
. Learn grammar and syntax, and you can start translating texts on your own.
You can translate anything you want: poems, short stories, names, articles or messages. Start short and gradually increase the difficulty
Step 3. Practice with other elf lovers
Once you have learned the basics of the elf, you can find other fans of this language and practice with them.
- The simplest and cheapest way to do this is to search for elven-speaking online communities. Many of these forums and communities are free.
- You can also look for local conventions or fan groups that deal with elves - you may find many passionate elven-speaking fans there.
