1.2.1 Nouns (n.)

Sindarin nouns serve the same function as they do in English (and most languages), as a name for a person, place or thing.

1.2.1.1 Noun Plurals: Sindarin, the language created by J.R.R. Tolkien, employs a unique approach to pluralization, employing vowel mutations over the addition of suffixes, as seen in English with “-(e)s”. This method, known as i-affection, originates from an ancient plural suffix “ī”. While this suffix no longer exists, its legacy continues in the form of vowel changes within words. For example, the singular word “adan” transforms into the plural “edain”, and “orch” changes to “yrch”. This characteristic of Sindarin reflects a concept Tolkien thoroughly explored in his writings, and it bears resemblance to certain irregular English plurals, such as “man” changing to “men”, as well as some German plural forms where vowel alterations indicate plurality.

Below is how the Phonetic Development caused by the ancient plural suffix “ī”.

1.2.1.2 i-affection: The historical origins of i-affection are explored in detail in the section on vowel mutations. However, for the sake of this discussion, the outcomes of i-affection are summarized here. This phenomenon is categorized into three distinct types: internal i-affection, final i-affection, and final i-intrusion. The typical mutations observed in plurals, accompanied by relevant examples, are outlined as follows:

1.2.1.3 Noun Class Plural: Sindarin also employs a second plural form that utilizes suffixes such as -ath, -hoth, or -rim. This can be illustrated through the following comparisons:

J.R.R. Tolkien commonly referred to this as the “collective” or “group” plural. However, in modern (Neo) Sindarin studies, it is typically called the “class plural”. To maintain consistency and avoid confusion, I will use the term “class plural” in this context. The concept of a class or collective plural dates to Tolkien's Gnomish language of the 1910s and was a recurring feature in his linguistic creations throughout his life.

1.2.1.4 Irregular Plurals: Sindarin has several less common plural patterns resulting from more obscure sound changes. More in-depth information can be found here. This is the summary from Eldamo.

1.2.1.5 Definite Article “The”: Like English, Sindarin uses the definite article “i” (singular) for “the” and “in” (plural) for “the”. However, unlike English, Sindarin lacks an indefinite article equivalent to “a” or “an”. In Sindarin, an unspecified item is denoted by using the noun alone: “the man” is expressed as “i adan”, whereas “a man” is simply “adan”. The definite article functions as a proclitic, forming a close association with the subsequent word, and consequently induces soft mutation. Additionally, the plural form of the definite article in Sindarin triggers nasal mutation.

1.2.1.5.a Definite Article Forms “e” and “en”: The Parma Eldalamberon XXII provides additional insight into the definite article in Sindarin: “e” or “en” in the singular and “in” in the plural. These forms convey specific nuances in usage and impact initial consonants in different ways:

  • Note ¹: *in·pherth may be an error and should be im· before p- making it: im·pherth

    • 1.2.1.6 Direct Objects: In Sindarin, like English, the direct object of a phrase typically follows the verb. However, unlike in English, the direct object in Sindarin undergoes soft mutation to signify its role as an object. This process is known as grammatical lenition. Some examples are as follows:

    The mutation does not occur simply because a word follows a verb. In Sindarin, the object of the verb (the accusative) undergoes lenition, while the vocative (the person or thing being addressed) does not.:

    In these phrases calad, morn and mellon are not lenited because they are the things the commands are being addressed to rather than the object of the verb. A direct object would be lenited, as in Pedo beth mellon. “Say the word (peth) friend.”

    In the context of Neo-Sindarin, it is reasonable to assume that an indefinite direct object is marked by lenition, irrespective of its position in the phrase. Conversely, a definite direct object typically undergoes the standard mutation associated with its article, which is soft mutation for singular and nasal mutation for plural forms. However, it is possible that the actual rules in Sindarin could be more complex. As a comparison, in Welsh, a direct object does not undergo mutation following a non-finite verb, a rule that does not apply in Sindarin. For instance, in the phrase “ar e aníra ennas suilannad mellyn în phain” (and he desires to greet there all his friends), “mellyn” (friends) is in its plural form without mutation, illustrating this difference.

    On to 1.2.2 Verbs!