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In class, we have discussed phonetics using the IPA (international phonetic alphabet). All languages have their own sets of sounds. Many of these sounds are common in every language. The Elvish language is no exception. The phonetics of Elvish can be understood better when studying the written words of the Elves.
All written languages of middle earth have an Eldarin origin. The Elves have two writing systems. One is called the Tengwar which translates to mean “letters”. The other is called Certar or Cirth which translates to mean “runes”. The Tengwar was developed by the Eldarin who went into exile. When the language arrived in middle earth, it spread to most of the areas where the common language is spoken. Certar was created by the Sindar. Both men and particularly Dwarves adopted it. Certar was altered over time from exposure to Tengwar, but the dwarves of Moria still used it until the time when Moria had fallen (Return of The King 395).
All written languages of middle earth have an Eldarin origin. The Elves have two writing systems. One is called the Tengwar which translates to mean “letters”. The other is called Certar or Cirth which translates to mean “runes”. The Tengwar was developed by the Eldarin who went into exile. When the language arrived in middle earth, it spread to most of the areas where the common language is spoken. Certar was created by the Sindar. Both men and particularly Dwarves adopted it. Certar was altered over time from exposure to Tengwar, but the dwarves of Moria still used it until the time when Moria had fallen (Return of The King 395).
This particular version of Tengwar is called Feanorian Tengwar. It is the version of Tengwar that spread through middle earth. It has 24 primary letters. There were also additional letters, some being letters on their own, and some are simply modifications of letters that already existed. The primary letters are broken up into 4 series and 6 grades. Each grade had a phonetic significance to them. For example, grade 1 was applied to the voiceless stops such as [t],[p], and [k]. Each letter has a bow and a stem. The modification of where that bow and stem is placed will determine the sound that is produced. For example, if I took a voiceless stop like [t] and then doubled the bow of that letter, then that letter would become a voiced stop, such as [d]. Thus the first four letters are t, p, c, and k. The next four letters are voiced versions of those first letters. Those letters would be d, b, g, and gw. The series represented phonetic placement. For Example, series 2 represented labial placements (Return of The King 395).