Dialogue is one of the most important tools a writer can have to build a character. Many authors try to use Elvish to give the dialogue a more authentic feel, and it should work. After all, Tolkien used this trick very successfully. However, there’s a very big difference between Tolkien and the Elvish sprinkling writer. Tolkien actually knew Elvish; and most of the time, the author does not. Because of this handy cap, many writers fall victim to Grelvish. Fear no longer! Here is a trustworthy source for Elvish dialogue.
If you need help choosing a language, visit the Find Your Phrasebook page first.
Quenya Phrasebooks
For the Elves in and from Aman, as well as Gondorian and Númenórean royalty.
Sindarin Phrasebooks
The Lingua Franca of the Elves of Middle-earth.
Adûnaic Phrasebook
The language of the people of Númenor.
Orcish Insults and Curses
Just a handful of curses and insults for your orc villains to yell as they raid your hero’s villages.
Elven Wedding Vows
For Elven marriages in Valinor and in Middle-earth.
If you play LotRO, this is a plugin I helped develop: LotRO Neo-Sindarin Plugin
If you want an Elvish section on your website, I put together two little phrasebooks just for you: 101 Sindarin Phrases and 101 Quenya Phrases (opens in new window).
See Also
- How to write dialogue for Middle-earth characters.
- Foreign Tongues in Fanfic – a guide on using foreign languages in fiction gracefully.
If you need to request dialogue, go to the Translation Requests page for guidelines on how to request a phrase, or the forum.