Valarin or Valian (V.), also called the Eldest Speech (Q."Inyaquetil") and Lambë Valarinwa by Vanyar, was the divine language of the Ainur. Rooted in the essence of creation itself, Valarin was not merely a means of communication but a reflection of the divine music of Ainulindalë that shaped the world.
History[]
The Ainur, being spirits, had no intrinsic need for speech. Their communication was telepathic, direct, and unencumbered by physical form. Yet, when the greatest among them descended into Eä and took shape as the Valar and Maiar, they crafted a spoken language as a natural extension of their new existence. This act was not merely practical but deeply symbolic: a way to express their creative essence and the wisdom imparted to them by Ilúvatar.
Valarin thus became the formal tongue of the Valar, its words echoing the ineffable beauty and power of their divine origins. Unlike the languages that would later emerge in Middle-earth, Valarin was inherently unearthly, complex, and laden with meaning far beyond the grasp of mortal or even Elvish minds.
Characteristics[]
Valarin was unparalleled in its alien quality, often described as dissonant or even unsettling to those not of Ainur descent. The Elves, particularly the Noldor, found it difficult to comprehend and aesthetically displeasing, leading to its limited adoption. Instead, the Valar chose to learn Quenya, the Elvish High Speech, to communicate with the Elves and each other when in their presence. Few Elves ever mastered Valarin, and its mysteries remain largely veiled. Fëanor, renowned for his unparalleled intellect and ambition, was one of the rare exceptions.
Nonetheless, the Vanyar, who lived closest to the Valar in Valinor, integrated more Valarin elements into their dialect of Quenya (Quendya), preserving fragments of this enigmatic tongue. These borrowings often retained a sense of otherworldliness, reflecting the grandeur of their source. One of the most distinctive features of Valarin was its intricate and lengthy word constructions. Names such as Ibrīniðilpathānezel (the Valarin word for Telperion) exemplify its sprawling complexity, each syllable layered with profound significance.
Dialects[]
Over the ages, Valarin diversified subtly among the Valar. Aulë, the master of craft, and Oromë, the hunter and explorer, each developed personal dialects reflective of their domains. These dialects, known as Aulëan and Oromëan, became prevalent among their followers and pupils, influencing both their speech and the early linguistic development of Middle-earth.
In contrast, the rebellious Melkor devised a corrupted derivative of Valarin, known as Melkian. Twisted to suit his purposes, it became the dark tongue of Utumno, spoken only by demons and evil spirits and shaping the base elements of languages like the Black Speech of Mordor. Similarly, Giantish was spoken by the Giants of Middle-earth. Despite its guttural and harsh nature, scholars noted faint links to Valarin, tracing its roots back to Aman before the Giants’ descent into Middle-earth.
Lastly, the mysterious Iruaric, believed to be the ancient tongue of the Althans, is speculated by some to have descended from Valarin. While its true origins remain shrouded in myth, its structural echoes of the Eldest Speech suggest a connection to the divine language.
Genealogy[]
Wordlist:[]
- A3ûlêz - original Valarin spelling of Aule
- akašân - He (Eru) says
- Amanaišal — unmarred
- anaškad,naškad -Ring
- Arômêz original valarin spelling of Orome
- Aþar — fixed time, festival
- Aþâra — appointed
- Aþâraigas — appointed heat, the Sun
- Aþāraphelūn — appointed dwelling, Arda
- Aþâraphelûn Amanaišal - Arda Unmarred
- Aþâraphelûn Dušamanûðân - Arda Marred
- Ašata, šata — hair of head
- ayanûz - one of the Ainur
- Dâhan-igwiš-telgûn, Dahanigwishtilgûn — Taniquetil
- Delgûmâ - telumë ,dome, dome of heaven
- dušamanûðân — marred
- Ezel —green
- Ezellôchâr — the Green Mound Ezellohar
- Ibri — silver or white
- Ibrîniðilpathânezel — Telperion
- Igas — heat
- iniðil — lily, or other large single flower
- Machallâm — one of the seats of the Valar in the Ring of Doom
- Mâchan — authority, authoritative decision
- Mâchananaškad — Doom Ring, Ring of Doom
- Mâchanâz - One of the Aratar
- Mâchanumâz - The Aratar as a Group
- Mânawenûz - original valarin spelling of Manwe
- Mirub- — wine
- mirubhôzê - Miruvor
- Næchærra - original valarin spelling of Nahar
- Ošošai, Oššai - original valarin spelling of Osse
- Pathân — leaf
- Phanaikelûth — bright mirror, the Moon
- Phelûn — dwelling
- Rušur, uruš — fire
- Šebeth — air
- Tulukha, Tulukhan — yellow
- Tulukastâz - original valarin spelling of Tulkas
- Tulukhedelgorûs —Laurelin
- Ulu, ullu — water
- Ulubôz or Ullubôz - original valarin spelling of Ulmo
Notes[]
It is unknown what exactly Professor Tolkien had in mind when he created the Valarin Names, but some of the forms he used show some superficial likeness to Akkadian, proto-germanic, Sumerian and Sanskrit.