Sindarin is the fictional Elvish language spoken by many Elves in J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings.
Tolkien based Sindarin primarily on the sound and historical development of Welsh, one of the influences he admired when constructing languages. In Tolkien’s internal history, Sindarin developed among the Sindar, or Grey Elves, in Middle-earth. It became a widely used language among Elves and was also known by many other peoples.
Sindarin appears in names such as Minas Tirith, which means “Tower of Guard,” and Lothlórien, the woodland realm associated with Galadriel and Celeborn. Characters’ names and place-names often preserve Sindarin elements even when the surrounding dialogue is presented in English translation.
Sindarin is not the same as Quenya, another major Elvish language. Quenya was associated especially with the High Elves and had a more formal or ceremonial role in many contexts. Tolkien developed both languages with extensive vocabulary and grammar, but they occupy different places in his imagined linguistic history.