A-affection
A-affection or A-mutation is a phonology phenomenon in the Sindarin language through its evolution from Old Sindarin, regarding the final vowels of a word.
The phenomenon is summarized as -iCa > -eC: the final -a vowel caused the preceding i to slid into e. It also caused change of u into o.
Since all final vowels disappeared in mature Sindarin, final -a also disappeared, leaving as trace of its existence the change of the preceding vowel.
The phenomenon is seen mostly in adjectives ending in -ina resulting in the common Sindarin adjectival ending -en. Other endings which possibly show A-affection are -eth (*-itta), -eb (*-ipa), -eg (*-ika)
Examples
- OS rista > resta > rest[1]
- OS berina > berena > beren[2]
- CE taika > taeka > taeg[3]
- CE *aklarikwâ[4] > aklarepa > aglareb
- OS *kulda > kolda > coll[5]
Mithrimin perhaps did not undergo the A-affection[6]. Hence we have OS *lâmina > S. loven but M. lómin
References
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The War of the Jewels, "Part Four. Quendi and Eldar" p.365
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Lost Road and Other Writings, Part Three: "The Etymologies" entry BER
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The War of the Jewels, "Part Four. Quendi and Eldar" p.309
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, "Words, Phrases and Passages in Various Tongues in The Lord of the Rings", in Parma Eldalamberon XVII (edited by Christopher Gilson), p. 24, “*aklariquā = full of glory”
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The War of the Jewels, "Part Four. Quendi and Eldar" p.414
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, "Words, Phrases and Passages in Various Tongues in The Lord of the Rings", in Parma Eldalamberon XVII (edited by Christopher Gilson) pp.133,134
