Your Sindarin Textbook
Chapter Three, Lesson One: Numbers
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To start, there is no number zero, decimals, or negative numbers in Sindarin. The Gondorian System This is the system you will most likely use because it is the easiest for us to use. It, like our counting, is base 10. Numbers One Through Ninety-Nine Here are the numbers from one to ten: To make numbers 11-19, add "-chaer" to the end of the number. To make multiples of ten, add "-chaen" to the end of the number. To make the numbers in-between, write the number, then the multiple of ten that it needs; so, you would write 21 like this: one-twenty. Examples: Numbers Beyond One Hundred 100 is "host". To make multiples of 100, add "-hoth". Keep a dash between it and the number it's being added to so people would confuse it for the "dh" letter combination. 1000 is "meneg". To make multiples of 1000, add "-veneg". Numbers as Adjectives There is a time when numbers become adjectives; therefore soft lenition applies when using them. These are words like: first, second, third… you get the idea. Here are the first ten: The rest are made by adding "-ui" to the end of the original numbers. The only exception is thirtieth, "Nelchaenen". The Elven System The Elves use a base 12 counting system. Because using a base twelve system can be difficult for we base 10 users, keep a calculator close at hand, and you may want to write out arithmetic problems to make translating easier for yourself. For example: 9875=11+(6*12)+(8*12^2)+(5*12^3) Numbers One Through One Hundred and Forty-three Here are the numbers from one to twelve: To make numbers 13-23, add "-chaer" to the end of the number. To make multiples of twelve, add "-chaen" to the end of the number. To make the numbers in-between, write the number then the multiple of twelve that it needs; so, you would write 25 like this: one-twentyfour. Examples: Numbers beyond One Hundred and Forty-four 144 is "host". To make multiples of 144, add "-hoth". Keep a dash between it and the number it's being added to so people would confuse it for the "dh" letter combination. 1728 or (12^3) is "meneg". To make multiples of 1728, add "-veneg". Numbers as Adjectives Here are the first twelve: Using Numbers Using numbers in text is pretty easy. Numbers aren't counted as adjectives and are placed before the noun. The noun becomes plural if there is more than one of it. Quick reference Soft Lenition Chart: Note: These are only the ones that you need for Elvish numbers, but realize that there is a lot more to this chart that I didn't show you. The rest are made by adding "-ui" to the end of the original numbers. The only exception is thirty-sixth, "Nelchaenen". When using numbers as adjectives, you must use them as any other adjectives. They follow the noun they describe, and soft lenition applies to them. Homework Symbols that you may need: Wordbank Nouns: Saew (poison) Adjectives: Calen (green) Translate the following numbers in both Elven and Gondorian systems. For the Elven system, break the numbers down into equations then translate them: Number - Gondorian / Elven Translate the following sentences into Sindarin using both the Elven and Gondorian styles: A poison is first. - Saew minui/erui. Translate the following sentences into English using both the Elven and Gondorian styles: Min lass haew. - One leaf is a poison. |