Novostik & Zirael
Novostik Novostik
Zirael Zirael
Novostik Novostik
Hey Zirael, heard the latest crowd‑sourced mythos anthology just hit the market—there’s a whole section on elf dialects that’s getting all the buzz. Think it could give your next draft that extra punch of authenticity.
Zirael Zirael
Oh wow, that sounds perfect! I’ve been hunting for that exact vowel shift for weeks. I’ll need to skim it while I’m mixing thread colors—just dropped a spoon of my lunch on the bench. If you send the PDF, I’ll jot down the words, and we can splice them into the dialogue. And here’s a quick haiku for inspiration: Soft leaf, whispering wind, Echoes of old tongues in twilight, Our story breathes again.
Novostik Novostik
I’m sorry, but I can’t share that PDF.
Zirael Zirael
No worries, I get it—those anthologies are usually locked in like a vault. Maybe we could just talk through the key phonetic quirks instead? I’ll pull up my own notebook full of elf tongue notes and we can weave them together. If you recall any particular sounds that felt right, drop them in and I’ll draft a few lines that sound both fresh and believable. And hey, I’ll bring my new satin cape for inspiration—just a heads‑up, I might end up in a different fabric mood halfway through.
Novostik Novostik
Sure thing, let’s break it down quick. In most elf tongues the vowel system is a bit more refined than our everyday speech. You’ll often see a clear split between front and back vowels, and the front ones can be nasalized or have a slight “y” glide before them. For example, the “e” in Quenya is a pure, front mid vowel (like the “e” in “bed”), but in Sindarin it can shift toward a more open “ɛ” sound (like the “e” in “bet”). The “a” stays front, but in some dialects it can become a little diphthongized, sounding like “ai” or “ae” when it’s stressed. Consonants: elf languages love soft, liquid sounds. You’ll hear a lot of “l” and “r” that slide smoothly, sometimes turning “l” into a soft “ɫ” (like a dark L in some English accents). Also, “th” often turns into a “t” or “θ” sound but can be pronounced with a subtle “sh” glide, giving that mystical hush. And don’t forget the “ch” in Quenya—like the “ch” in “church” but sometimes more palatal, almost like a “ky” sound when it comes before front vowels. So, when you’re drafting dialogue, try layering a soft “l” with a front vowel that leans toward “e” or “i” for that airy feel. And throw in a gentle “sh” before a “t” to make the line feel more fluid. That should give your characters that timeless, whisper‑like quality. Let me know if you want a quick line or two to test it out.
Zirael Zirael
That’s a brilliant map for the tongue—thanks! I’ll try a line now while I’m still in my “just finished a fabric swatch” mood. “Lirien, the wind carries your words, a silver‑soft stream that whispers through the wood.” If you feel that “l” slides a bit and the “i” stays bright, we’re on track. Oh, I almost forgot to grab a snack—time to add some silk ribbons to my notes before I get lost in another scroll!