noldorin

Noldorin is the predecessor of Sindarin in the course of Tolkien's life. The ultimate ancestor of Sindarin is a language called Gnomish, then regarded as a language developed in Middle-earth by the exiled Noldor (or Gnomes) from the ancient language they spoke in Valinor. Despite some continuity in inspiration, it is quite distinct in from and structure. Tolkien began to elaborate Gnomish in 1917 and went on with it during the 20s. Yet eventually he started this project anew and renamed it "Noldorin" - the linguistic scenario however remained more or less unchanged. Only when he wrote the appendices to The Lord of the Rings did he deeply transform the history of the language: and Noldorin, a bit modified in the structure it had then reached, became Sindarin.

Nebrachar - A poem published in The Monsters and the Critics, p. 217.

Thrór's map inscription - J. R. R. Tolkien, Artist & Illustrator, pp. 92 and 150

A Elbereth Gilthoniel, preparatory version - The Return of the Shadow, p. 394. The final version in Sindarin can also be found on this website.

Gandalf's door spell, preparatory version - The Return of the Shadow, p. 451. The final version in Sindarin can also be found on this website.

Moria gate inscription, preparatory version - The Treason of Isengard p. 182 & J. R. R. Tolkien, Artist & Illustrator, p. 158. The final version in Sindarin can also be found on this website.

Sam's invocation of Elbereth at Cirith Ungol, preparatory version - The War of the Ring, p. 218. The final version in Sindarin can also be found on this website.