Sindarin

The most widely used language of Middleearth. Its origins can be traced back to Eldarin. Judging by its name, it was originally used among the Sindar, the Elves who stayed in Beleriand. The Noldor who returned in the first years of the First Age, adopted Sindarin because they were still too few in numbers, and everyone around them spoke Sindarin, not Quenya. Later, the Noldor passed on their knowledge to the Edain, who mastered Sindarin so well that they incorporated it into various verses: Dirhavel’s famous Song of the Children of Hurin was in Sindarin.

In Numenor, Sindarin was also in use, not least because it served as a means of communication between the Edain and the Elves who came from Aman. However, around year 3100 of the Second Age, using Elvish languages was banned by Ar-Gimilzor, and Sindarin went out of use. When Sauron corrupted the hearts of the Numenoreans, Sindarin was used by the Truthful who in this way wanted to accentuate their friendship and loyalty towards the Eldar.

As to Middleearth, Sindarin along with Quenya gradually engulfed and eventually replaced all other Elvish languages. This language was adopted in Thranduil’s realm in Mirkwood, in Lothlorien, ruled by Galadriel and Celeborn. Getting closer to the end of the Third Age, Sindarin was already in use among Men who wanted to highlight their kinship with the Eldar. In the Fourth Age Sindarin and Quenya alike were reduced to the role of the languages of lore.