The primary Elvish language implied and most commonly spoken by the Elves encountered in J. R. R. Tolkien's The Hobbit is Sindarin.
Sindarin is one of the chief Elvish languages created by Tolkien for Middle-earth. While The Hobbit does not delve deeply into the linguistic intricacies, the Elves featured in the story—such as the Wood-elves of Mirkwood and the Elves of Rivendell—primarily spoke Sindarin during the Third Age, the period in which the story is set. It was the common or "Grey-Elven" tongue of Middle-earth, widely used for daily communication and song among many Elvish communities.
Elvish Languages of Middle-earth
J. R. R. Tolkien, a philologist by profession, constructed several Elvish languages, with Quenya and Sindarin being the most prominent. These languages evolved as the Elves developed as a society throughout the Ages of Middle-earth.
- Sindarin: Often referred to as Grey-Elvish, this was the language of the Sindar or Grey-Elves, who remained in Beleriand after the Great Journey. By the Third Age, it became the most widely spoken Elvish language among the remaining Elves in Middle-earth, including those who resided in realms like Rivendell and Mirkwood.
- Quenya: Known as High-Elvish, this ancient and more formal language was spoken primarily by the Noldor (High-Elves) who returned from Valinor. By the Third Age, Quenya was largely reserved for lore, songs, and ceremonial purposes, akin to Latin in the real world, rather than everyday conversation.
Sindarin in The Hobbit's Context
In The Hobbit, when Bilbo Baggins and the Dwarves encounter Elves, such as those in Rivendell or the Wood-elves of Mirkwood, their interactions, though not detailed linguistically, would have primarily involved Sindarin. For instance:
- Rivendell: Elrond, a prominent figure in Rivendell, was a master of Elvish lore and spoke Sindarin fluently, as did the Elves dwelling in his Last Homely House.
- Mirkwood: The Wood-elves, including King Thranduil, were Sindar (or at least spoke Sindarin as their native tongue), and thus their language would have been Sindarin.
While the text of The Hobbit focuses on the adventure rather than a deep dive into linguistics, the presence of Elves who speak and sing in their own tongue implicitly points to Sindarin as the language of common use.
To better understand the distinction between these two primary Elvish languages, consider the following table:
| Aspect | Sindarin | Quenya |
|---|---|---|
| Type of Elf | Grey-Elves (Sindar) | High-Elves (Noldor) |
| Usage | Common tongue, daily communication, lore | Formal, ancient lore, ceremonial, songs |
| Time Period | Prevalent in Middle-earth by the Third Age | More common in earlier Ages; scholarly by Third Age |
| Prevalence | Widely spoken by Elves remaining in Middle-earth | Less commonly spoken daily in Middle-earth by the Third Age |
| Example Use | Elrond's counsel, Wood-elf songs | Ancient High-Elven names, specific spells |
Therefore, while the book itself doesn't explicitly name "the" Elvish language spoken, based on Tolkien's broader linguistic framework for Middle-earth, Sindarin is the most fitting answer for the Elvish language used by the Elves encountered in The Hobbit.
