Vanyarin (Vn.) or Ingwelyan (Q. "Tongue of Ingwë"), also known as High Quenya (Vn."Yánaquenya") or Quendya is the dialect of Quenya spoken by the Vanyar, the First Clan of the Elves. This dialect, distinct from the Noldorin form of Quenya, evolved under the direct influence of the Valar in Aman, where the Vanyar dwelled closest to them on Taniquetil. It is considered a more melodic and elaborate version of the Quenya, incorporating unique lexical elements derived from Valarin, making it richer in terms related to divinity and the heavens. These borrowings set it apart from the Noldorin Quenya, which maintained a more practical and technical vocabulary.
Glossary[]
- Vn. Auzel pn. “Elf who left Middle-earth for Aman”
- Vn. ezel(la) adj. “green”
- Vn. Ezellohar loc. “Green Mound”
- Vn. lepenya ordinal. “fifth”
- Vn. nasar adj. “red”
- Vn. Oazel pn.
- Vn. Quendya n. “Quendian language”
- Vn. thindë adj. “grey, pale or silvery grey”
- Vn. tulka adj. “yellow”
- Vn. twílë n. “spring”
- Vn. ulban adj. “blue”
Wordbuilding[]
The Vanyarin dialect sometimes preserves older or more original forms of words, which have since evolved or changed meaning in standard Quenya. For example, terms like ezel(la) (green), thindë (grey), and tulka (yellow) appear in the Vanyarin lexicon but are either not used or have been replaced in standard Quenya with more commonly known forms (like laurëa for yellow or lindë for grey or pale in standard Quenya).
In Vanyarin, certain sounds that have softened or shifted in standard Quenya remain closer to their original forms. For example, Vanyarin retains th and ph sounds where standard Quenya may have merged them into s and f respectively. (Q. “Silmaril” → Vn. “Thilmaril.”
Vanyarin may maintain longer or more complex vowel sequences where standard Quenya simplifies (Q. "tulya" (to summon) → Vn. "tulyë")
Insert additional vowels to break up clusters or lengthen the word, making it more melodious:
- Noldorin Quenya: tyelë (end)
- Vanyarin Quenya: tyeléa (adding an extra vowel at the end).Where standard Quenya might have simple vowels, Vanyarin could employ diphthongs or more intricate vowel combinations (Q. mahta- (to fight) → Vn. maihta- (more elaborate vowel structure). Similarly, vowels could “harmonize” with each other for a richer sound, like Q. lindë (song) → Vn. lyandë (inserting a glide or consonant to create a more musical flow).