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Select Elvish Words: 12.48 South

12.48 South

Q. hyar- pref. “left-hand, south”

A prefix meaning either “left-hand” or “south”, depending on context (PE17/18). It is derived from the root ᴹ√KHYAR.

Q. hyarmen n. “south, (lit.) left-hand direction”

The Quenya word for “south” and the name of tengwa #33 (LotR/1123). It is a combination of ᴹ√KHYAR “left hand” and √MEN “way”, so named because it is the direction to the left when facing west (PE17/18; PE22/23; Ety/PHOR, MEN).

Conceptual Development: The Ambarkanta of the early 1930s at first had Harmen for “south”, but this was revised for Hyarmen both there and in The Etymologies from 1937 (SM/244; Ety/MEN). Tolkien used hyarmen thereafter.

Q. hyarna adj. “southern”

An adjective for “southern” based on the prefix hyar- (PE17/18).

Conceptual Development: The Etymologies of the 1930s had ᴹQ. hyarmenya “southern” as an adjectival form of ᴹQ. hyarmen “south” (Ety/PHOR). This might coexist with hyarna.

S. harad n. “south”

The Sindarin word for “south” based on the root ᴹ√KHYAR “left-hand” (LotR/1123; PE17/18; Ety/KHYAR). It was the “left-hand direction” since the Elves reckoned their directions while facing west, so that “south” was to the left (LotR/1123). It can also be used for “the South” as a region but without a definite article (PE23/133), that is just Harad rather than i Charad

Conceptual Development: In The Etymologies of the 1930s it was first given as haran (EtyAC/KHYAR).

N. haradren adj. “southern”

An adjectival form of harad “south” in The Etymologies of the 1930s (Ety/PHOR). It was first given as haranren (EtyAC/KHYAR).

S. harn adj. “southern, south”

An adjective for “southern” based on ᴹ√KHYAR “left hand” (PE17/18; Ety/KHYAR).

Conceptual Development: ᴱN. harn appeared untranslated in Noldorin word-lists of the 1920s (PE13/147).

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