1.2.5 Prepositions (prep.) and Noun Cases

Elf illustration

A preposition is a small word indicating the relationship of a noun or noun phrase to rest of the sentence. It is so called because the preposition (pre-position) comes before the noun it governs. Sindarin has prepositions that function more or less as they do in English. First, here are some additional nouns we can use for practice:

And here are some prepositions to use them with and in the parentheses is the mutated form:

Note ¹: When preceding the definite article i (mi i), this preposition simplifies to m’i “in the”.
Note ²: There are three attested forms for “in”: mi, vi, and ivi. The latter confirms that the preposition comes from IMI, which was a theory floating around. It is possible that the instances of vi are either lenited mi or shortened ivi. Some enthusiasts think this represents two parallel paradigms: mi/vi and ivi/vi, and they don’t think they conflict. However, some also don’t think ivi is one of the options here. Some enthusists choose to use vi in all instances.

For example:

Note ¹: Should be nu venel “under heaven”, def. nui venel “under the heaven”. Note, however, that there is some debate as to whether or not menel is already definite; A Sindarin enthusiast suggests the answer is similar to English – both “under Heaven(s)” and “under the heavens” should be fine, but “under the Heaven” seems odd. For Sindarin, if menel is simply used as per its etymology (lit. “way [of] stars”), then he thinks it is indefinite by default; but in a Catholic prayer, Ae Adar nín i vi Menel (where for reasons unknown no mutation is observed anyhow), it is likely definite.

1.2.5.1 Dative

Sindarin, the constructed language by J.R.R. Tolkien, has two primary ways to mark the dative case, which is used for indirect objects:

It's worth noting that Sindarin's grammatical structure, including the use of the dative case, is derived from Tolkien's writings and subsequent linguistic analysis. The language, while rich and intricate, is not fully defined in the same way as natural languages, and interpretations of its grammar can vary among scholars and enthusiasts.

1.2.5.2 Genitive

A genitive relationship (“of”) in Sindarin can be marked in several ways. The most straightforward is to have the related noun follow the noun it modifies, so that aran Moria means “king [of] Moria”, with “of” not explicit in the Sindarin phrase. This would be analogous to saying “Moria king” in English, except the order of the Sindarin words is reversed.

Alternately, the genitive can be expressed via the preposition na(n) “of”: aran na·Moria. The preposition na(n) has a definite variant en “of the”. These indefinite/definite forms cause a variety of mutations:

The plural form of indefinite na(n) is not clear, but there are examples of na(n) being used before plural nouns: aran na chîr lim “king of swift ships”; for simplicity I recommend using indefinite na(n) before plurals as well: na thail “of feet”, nan erain “of kings”.

Examples:

Note ¹: “Megil ang” this implies that the sword somehow belongs to iron; “sword [made] of iron” would normally be Megil angren, with an adjective.

1.2.5.3 Directional and Location

The three directional noun cases indicate motion toward, motion away or location at the specified noun:

Note ¹: That an is a dative marker, e.g. e·Valan aun eliad an amon. “The Vala gave a blessing to a hill.”, Senin i he maer an en·amon. “I think that this is good for the hill”. If, however you wish to indicate motion, “I am going to[wards] a hill”, then you need an allative preposition, Menin n’ amon (note that, per Tolkien, na is regularly elided to n’ before vowels).
Note ²: Unlike singular mi vinas / mi e·vinas where there is no audible distinction between definite and indefinite, here in plural the forms are distinct: indef. mi vinais vs. def. m' i·minais (nasal mutation).

A theory I subscribe to concerns the preposition o. This came up in a sentence I was attempting to translate and Ellanto brought this up. Please keep in mind this is before PE23 was released.: od i vs. uin. In my usage, I distinguish between two prepositions that partially coalesced into o(d). While they may have fully merged later, I see evidence that they were initially distinct.

Namely, the preposition o(d) < ✶aut (“(away) from”) causes stop mutation, while o < ✶hō (“from, of” in the genitive of origin) causes lenition. The former appears in o galadhremmin and o menel (stop mutation), the latter in o Eregion and o Imladris (no overt -d). Of these, only ✶hō could have produced uin, and its sole attestation aligns with the genitive of origin.

Due to their surface similarity, both may have merged into indefinite o (with stop mutation before consonants and none before vowels) and definite uin. However, I wouldn’t use uin for the ✶aut meaning. Instead, I’d use od i or, more speculatively, odin/odhin (factoring in awt vs. awd and potential coalescence or analogy). Thus, od i may be the safer option.

1.2.5.4 Preposition Mutation Patterns

Prepositions are an invariable part of a statement whose function is to serve as a link between any syntactic element and its complement. Fiona Jallings states that the way prepositions are used in Sindarin is straightforward. They go at the beginning of their phrase. A prepositional phrase can be used to modify verbs as though it was an adverb, or nouns as though it was an adjective. Prepositional phrases can behave like adjectives, following the nouns they modify, appearing after any adjectives that may be attached to the noun. When they are carrying out this role, the preposition is lenited. Prepositions can’t become plural to match a noun that they follow.

Examples:

Note ¹: Prepositions as Prefixes: The observation that objects like the definite article retain some independence suggests that prepositions in Sindarin might be treated like prefixes, not forming actual compounds. This is supported by instances where elements function as both prepositions and prefixes (e.g., or-, di-, trî), and sometimes appear joined with hyphens in compound formations.
Note ²: Fiona Jallings states “Sindarin has two types of prepositions, one that has "the" included in its meaning, and the other that doesn’t. Note ³: Prepositions vs. Prefixes: While prepositions are treated as 'loose prefixes' for mutation purposes, it's important to note that not all prefixes can be used as prepositions, and they can differ in meaning. This distinction is highlighted by Tolkien's different uses of elements in Quenya and Sindarin. The main argument that prepositions act like prefixes in causing mutations holds, but there's room for debate, especially considering the examples in "Ae Adar" and the need for careful examination of each case.

1.2.5.5 Possessive Pronouns & Noun Cases

Unlike Quenya, Sindarin does not suffix its possessive pronouns, for example n’ i-amon gín. “to[words] your hill”. If it is genitive, it needs something else to indicate it: otherwise, i·amon gín is simply just “your hill”.

It is the same for plural forms as well: n’ in·emyn gín “to[words] your hills”, in·emyn gín “your hills” no “of” is implied. Some more examples:

1.2.5.6 Section Summary

Click the phrase to reveal the answer. Uses CEA 1969 definite articles e/en & in.

Exercise 1.4

Translate the following into English:
  1. e·Adan nôr od in·yrch. - The man runs from the orcs.
  2. in·Aew lerir vi e·daur. - Birds sleep in the forest.
  3. Nu in·emyn i·chedhyd. - Dwarves are under the hills.
  4. i·Ñîl hílar vi venel. - The stars shine in the heavens.
  5. Hí en·aran vên n’ e·garas ín. - Now the king goes to his city.

Translate the following into Sindarin:
  1. Strong like iron is the orc. - Thalion ve ang en·Orch.
  2. The men go out from the city. - in·Edain medir e charas.
  3. The sky [is] above the hills. - Or in·emyn Ell.
  4. I eat in my tower. - Medin vi e·vinas nín.
  5. Dead elves sleep forever in the hills. - Edhil ñyrth lerir anuir v’ in·emyn.
1.2.6 Limith (Conjunctions) →