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A-affection

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A-affection or A-mutation is a phonology phenomenon in the Sindarin language through its evolution from Old Sindarin, regarding the final vowels of a word.

The phenomenon is summarized as -iCa > -eC: the final -a vowel caused the preceding i to slid into e. Since all final vowels disappeared in mature Sindarin, final -a also disappeared, leaving as trace of its existence the preceding e. The phenomenon affected mostly adjectives ending in -ina resulting in the common Sindarin adjectival ending -e. Other endings which possibly show A-affection are -eth, -eb, -eg

Examples

Mithrimin perhaps did not undergo the A-affection[5]. Hence we have OS *lâmina > S. loven but M. lómin

References

  1. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The War of the Jewels, "Part Four. Quendi and Eldar" p.365
  2. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Lost Road and Other Writings, "Part Three: The Etymologies" entry BER
  3. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The War of the Jewels, "Part Four. Quendi and Eldar" p.309
  4. ↑ cf. Quenya Alcarinqua
  5. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, "Words, Phrases and Passages in Various Tongues in The Lord of the Rings", in Parma Eldalamberon XVII (edited by Christopher Gilson) pp.133,134
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