Quenya Phonology is the ninetheenth issue of Parma Eldalamberon, a journal of linguistic studies of the Elvish languages and names in the works of J.R.R. Tolkien.
Front cover: manuscript facsimile "Quenya: Outline of Phonology"
Back cover: continuation of the manuscript
Contents[]
- Foreword
- "Comparative Tables" — J.R.R. Tolkien, ed. Christopher John Gilson
- Consonants
- Vowels
- General Characteristics
- "Outline of Phonetic Development" — J.R.R. Tolkien, ed. Christopher John Gilson
- The Consonants
- General Developments in Isolation
- Initial Groups
- Medial Combinations
- Final Consonants
- Development of the Vowels
- Changes Produced in Hiatus
- Final Syllables
- The Consonants
- "Outline of Phonology" — J.R.R. Tolkien, ed. Christopher John Gilson
- The Consonants
- General Development in Isolation
- Initial Consonant Groups
- Medial Combinations of Consonants
- Consonants Standing Finally
- The Vowels
- The Consonants
- List of abbreviations
Description[]
The ”Comparative Tables" are a series of charts laying out the regular correspondences among the sounds of the various languages Tolkien had invented by the late 1930s or conceived of as part of his history of the Elves, including Valarin, Quenya, Lindarin, Telerin, Noldorin, Ilkorin, Danian, and Lemberin, as well as the Mannish language Taliskan. There are charts for word-initial and medial consonants and consonant groups, and for long vowels and diphthongs. These are accompanied by Tolkien’s notes on the general phonetic characteristics of the historical development of the languages, and on their phonological types in terms of the "real" languages on which they were modeled.
The "Outline of Phonetic Development" is a detailed description of the historical changes that produced of the sounds of Quenya from the sounds of Primitive Eldarin, including the regular developments in word-initial and medial positions and the distinctive changes of sounds in contact. Phonetic variations among the historical dialects of Quenya are described, as well as those divergent developments occurring in the closely related languages of Lindarin, Telerin, and Noldorin, and the influences of these on the dialects of Quenya. The text appears to be from the late 1930s or 1940s.
The "Outline of Phonology" is a revised and expanded version of this text, dating from the 1950s. It describes the phonology of Quenya as primarily the speech of the Noldor in Valinor; but it is similarly arranged, giving variations within the historical dialects of Quenya and divergent developments in the related Vanyarin and Telerin.
External links[]
- Print on demand (Barnes & Noble)
- Print on demand (The Great British Bookshop)
- Book review by John Garth, Tolkien Studies volume 8
- Book review by Edward Kloczko