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Welcome Quenya scholars! Before you begin studying one of the most beautiful languages in existance, it is important to learn a little about the background of Quenya and its origins. The Elves awoke in Cuiviénen in the east, the Firstborn of Eru. They were the first beings that spoke with voices and so they named themselves the Quendi meaning "those that speak with voices." Their languages was called Quenya. The Elves had such skill in the art of speach and language that when they accepted the invitation of the Valar to dwell in Valinor, the Valar learned Quenya and adopted it as their own (though they still spoke thier own tongue amongst themselves). Quenya is refered to the language of the High Elves because it was spoken by the Elves that traveled to Valinor and saw the light of the Two Trees. Under the divine light of Valinor and the guidane and teaching of the Valar, the High Elves supassed their kin who dwelt in Middle-earth in body, mind, and skill. Unfortunately, when the Noldor left Valinor and became Exiles in Middle-earth their language was banned by King Thingol so they adopted Sindarin as their language for daily use and Quenya was only used for ritualistic purposes and fomalities. It still remains the main language for daily use in Valinor, but by the Third Age of Middle-earth very few spoke it. Scholars should also be warned: although there is more vocabulary and grammar information in Quenya than in Sindarin it is impossible to be completely fluent in Quenya. |
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