J.R.R. Tolkien created the fictional script Tengwar for writing languages such as Quenya.
Tengwar is a writing system used by several peoples in Tolkien’s legendarium. Its name comes from a Quenya word meaning “letters” or “signs.” Tolkien designed the script with systematic relationships between its characters, reflecting his interest in the structure and history of writing systems.
Tengwar is often confused with Cirth. Cirth is another Tolkien-created script, made from angular letters and associated particularly with the Dwarves. Tengwar, by contrast, is frequently shown in elegant calligraphic forms and is used for languages including Quenya and Sindarin. The exact sounds represented can vary according to the writing mode.
Tolkien’s scripts were more than decorative alphabets. He developed their forms, sound values, historical relationships, and use by different cultures. Modern fans often write English in Tengwar, but in the fictional setting the script can represent several languages rather than belonging to only one.