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{{disambig-two|the earlier version of [[Sindarin]]|dialect of [[Quenya]] spoken by the [[Noldor]] in [[Middle-earth]]|[[Exilic Quenya]]}}
'''Noldorin''' is the early name of the [[Sindarin]] language made by [[J.R.R. Tolkien]]. Its structure, history and background were different in the early versions of the mythos.
'''Noldorin''' is an [[Elvish]] dialect from an earlier version of the [[legendarium]], a precursor to [[Sindarin]].


In the newer version of the mythos, Noldorin can define the [[Quenya]] dialect of the [[Noldor]] (in contrast to the [[Vanyarin]] dialect); however since Quenya "proper" as we know it is mainly the dialect of the Noldor, the term "Noldorin" is even here used rarely.
==History==
[[Kornoldorin]] ("Gnomish of [[Kôr]]" or "Old Noldorin") was the language of the [[Gnomes]] in [[Valinor]]. It was similar to [[Qenya]], the language of the [[Vanyar|Lindar]], but incorporated [[Solosimpi|Solosimpin]] influence.


==History==
When the Noldoli came to the [[Great Lands]] with [[Fëanor]], they intermingled with the [[Ilkorindi]], the [[Dark Elves]], and their languages, Kornoldorin and [[Ilkorin]] respectively, were likewise mingled. This was the origin of Noldorin.
According to the background of the early [[legendarium]], Noldorin derived from the [[Old Noldorin]], the language spoken by the [[Gnomes]]/[[Noldoli]] in [[Valinor]]. That language was quite similar to [[Qenya]], the language of the [[Vanyar|Lindar]] but had some differences.
 
Noldorin was rich in various dialects, including those of [[Mithrim]], [[Gondolin]], [[Nargothrond]], and [[Himring]]<ref>{{LR|Lhammas}} p.177</ref><ref>{{PE|14}} p.61-62</ref> and the [[Fëanorian dialect]]  of [[East Beleriand]] spoken by the folk of the [[Sons of Fëanor]].<ref>{{PE|18}}, pp. 26-7, 80</ref>


When the Noldor came to [[Great Lands]] with [[Fëanor]], their language was confused, mixed and mingled with [[Ilkorin]], the language of the [[Dark Elves]]. This amalgam produced the '''Noldorin''' language of [[Beleriand]].
==External history==
==External history==
A celtic-sounding language spoken by the Gnomes/Noldoli existed since the beginning of Tolkien's mythology. In the first stage, it was called [[Gnomish]] quite similar to later Noldorin/Sindarin but also quite different.  
A Celtic-sounding language spoken by the Gnomes/Noldoli existed since the beginning of Tolkien's mythology. In its first stages it was called [[Gnomish]] and resembled the later Noldorin/Sindarin despite noticeable differences.
 
The evolution of the language continued over several years. During the 1930s it was known as Noldorin, and gained a greater similarity to the Sindarin of ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]''. This version of the language appears in the ''[[The Etymologies|Etymologies]]''.
 
Noldorin was the existing version of the language during the writing of ''The Lord of the Rings''. The Elvish phrases in ''The Lord of the Rings'', now known as Sindarin, were "Noldorin" in Tolkien's mind throughout the writing process. It was only while compiling the Appendices that he decided to rewrite the language's back-story and change the name to Sindarin.
 
Tolkien consulted the Noldorin language of the ''Etymologies'' extensively in his work on Sindarin, adapting old words to fit his new version of the language. This same method of adapting Noldorin words to create Sindarin equivalents is used by modern students of Elvish. The resulting vocabulary is typically referred to as "[[Neo-Sindarin]]" to distinguish it from attested Sindarin.  


It continued to be revised. Noldorin, as was called now, was more compatible to Sindarin of ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]''; this language appears in the ''[[Etymologies]]''.
===An example of Noldorin to Sindarin Adaption===
The Old Noldorin initial ''l-/r-'' became ''lh-/rh-'' in Noldorin. In Sindarin, however, they remain the same. The Old Noldorin diphthong ''ai'' becomes ''oe'' in Noldorin, but ''ae'' in Sindarin.  


Noldorin with all its backstory existed even while Tolkien was writing ''The Lord of the Rings''. The Elvish phrases and languages, while nowadays are known as Sindarin, were "Noldorin" in Tolkien's mind while he was writing them. It was only while writing the Appendices when he decided to retcon all the backstory and give Elvish a new history and name, and then the language was standardized as Sindarin.
According to the ''Etymologies'', the Old Noldorin word ''raika'' evolved into Noldorin ''rhoeg''. A modern student of Elvish would update this word to the Neo-Sindarin *''raeg''.


The ''Etymologies'' Noldorin is so similar and compatible to Sindarin, that Tolkien consulted it while working on Sindarin, by "updating" in his mind the old words with the new data. This methodology is used even now by Elvish students when they need to "import" or "update" Noldorin words into Sindarin proper. This practice is often referred to as "[[Neo-Sindarin]]", to distinguish it from attested Sindarin.
==See also==
===Example of differences===
*[[Kornoldorin]]
For example Old Noldorin initial ''l-/r-'' became ''lh-/rh-'' in Noldorin respectively, however they remain the same in Sindarin. Also, the Old Noldorin diphthong ''ai'' becomes ''oe'' in Noldorin but ''ae'' in Sindarin.
*[[Salmar]], also named ''Noldorin'' in early manuscripts
*[[Gnomish]], also called ''Goldogrin'', precursor of Noldorin


Therefore according to the ''Etymologies'', the Old Noldorin word ''raika'' evolved into Noldorin ''rhoeg'' but the very same word should be "updated" into *''raeg'' to become Sindarin.
==External links==
[[Category:Languages]]
*[http://www.science-and-fiction.org/elvish/index.html#grammar_noldorin Three articles about Noldorin] by [[Thorsten Renk]]
*[http://glaemscrafu.jrrvf.com/english/noldorin.html Texts and sound examples] at [[Glǽmscrafu]]
{{references}}
{{languages}}
[[Category:Noldor]]
[[Category:Noldorin]]
[[Category:Sindarin]]
[[fr:encyclo/langues/gnomique]]

Revision as of 11:07, 31 March 2021

"I shan't call it the end, till we've cleared up the mess." — Sam
This article or section needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of article quality.
This article is about the earlier version of Sindarin. For the dialect of Quenya spoken by the Noldor in Middle-earth, see Exilic Quenya.

Noldorin is an Elvish dialect from an earlier version of the legendarium, a precursor to Sindarin.

History

Kornoldorin ("Gnomish of Kôr" or "Old Noldorin") was the language of the Gnomes in Valinor. It was similar to Qenya, the language of the Lindar, but incorporated Solosimpin influence.

When the Noldoli came to the Great Lands with Fëanor, they intermingled with the Ilkorindi, the Dark Elves, and their languages, Kornoldorin and Ilkorin respectively, were likewise mingled. This was the origin of Noldorin.

Noldorin was rich in various dialects, including those of Mithrim, Gondolin, Nargothrond, and Himring[1][2] and the Fëanorian dialect of East Beleriand spoken by the folk of the Sons of Fëanor.[3]

External history

A Celtic-sounding language spoken by the Gnomes/Noldoli existed since the beginning of Tolkien's mythology. In its first stages it was called Gnomish and resembled the later Noldorin/Sindarin despite noticeable differences.

The evolution of the language continued over several years. During the 1930s it was known as Noldorin, and gained a greater similarity to the Sindarin of The Lord of the Rings. This version of the language appears in the Etymologies.

Noldorin was the existing version of the language during the writing of The Lord of the Rings. The Elvish phrases in The Lord of the Rings, now known as Sindarin, were "Noldorin" in Tolkien's mind throughout the writing process. It was only while compiling the Appendices that he decided to rewrite the language's back-story and change the name to Sindarin.

Tolkien consulted the Noldorin language of the Etymologies extensively in his work on Sindarin, adapting old words to fit his new version of the language. This same method of adapting Noldorin words to create Sindarin equivalents is used by modern students of Elvish. The resulting vocabulary is typically referred to as "Neo-Sindarin" to distinguish it from attested Sindarin.

An example of Noldorin to Sindarin Adaption

The Old Noldorin initial l-/r- became lh-/rh- in Noldorin. In Sindarin, however, they remain the same. The Old Noldorin diphthong ai becomes oe in Noldorin, but ae in Sindarin.

According to the Etymologies, the Old Noldorin word raika evolved into Noldorin rhoeg. A modern student of Elvish would update this word to the Neo-Sindarin *raeg.

See also

External links

References

  1. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Lost Road and Other Writings, "Part Two: Valinor and Middle-earth before The Lord of the Rings, V. The Lhammas" p.177
  2. J.R.R. Tolkien, "Early Qenya and The Valmaric Script", in Parma Eldalamberon XIV (edited by Carl F. Hostetter, Christopher Gilson, Arden R. Smith, Patrick H. Wynne, and Bill Welden) p.61-62
  3. J.R.R. Tolkien, "Tengwesta Qenderinwa and Pre-Fëanorian Alphabets Part 2", in Parma Eldalamberon XVIII (edited by Christopher Gilson, Arden R. Smith, and Patrick H. Wynne), pp. 26-7, 80
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