Elven name translation [Archive] - Wizards Community

Elven name translation [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
banditt_adams
07-16-07, 05:22 PM One thing that I thought would be easily found through a google search would be some database that translates D&D elf words and names into "human common". Unfortunately, Ive become rather frustrated as I cannot find anything of the sort!

Im just looking to have my character given an "authentic" name and was wondering if there is some such repository or translation website out there?

Kindest regards,
-Jason
Mock26
07-16-07, 05:32 PM Pick up a copy of Languages of Tolkien' Middle Earth by Ruth S. Noel. You can easily create great sounding and "authentic" elven names.
Tempest Stormwind
07-16-07, 05:38 PM D&D elven is just like the generic-elven-sounding words you see every so often -- plenty of vowels and musical tones, and a Y is practically mandatory.

If you're looking for Tolkien-esque elven, the word you should search for is "Sindarin", not "elven" ("elven" gets you copycats, each of which has their own idea of what elven sounds like). This would find you places like this one (http://www.jrrvf.com/hisweloke/sindar/), which is a pretty decent translation in general.
Kuruk
07-16-07, 06:10 PM Races of the Wild has a section on Elves and pages 31 and 32 have tables you can use to create names by mashing a given prefix and suffix together. If you don't want to shell out the money the book, I'll third the suggestion to use Tolkien-esque names.
banditt_adams
07-16-07, 10:59 PM thanks everyone! Ill check the URL link and see what they have and also hit up that Races of the Wild :)

I'm trying to not do the Tolkein elf language. I figure the D&D folks put some thought into it with their own Elven names, so I would see what they came up with :)

Thanks again everyone,
-Jason
TwiddleStootch
07-17-07, 01:04 PM This is an Elven translator I use. (http://www.grey-company.org/Circle/language/search/languagebase.htm)

It doesn't have a huge amount of words, but its pretty good, IMHO.
banditt_adams
07-17-07, 02:58 PM This is an Elven translator I use. (http://www.grey-company.org/Circle/language/search/languagebase.htm)

It doesn't have a huge amount of words, but its pretty good, IMHO.

This one is nice too. thanks!
banditt_adams
07-17-07, 03:00 PM Ive decided to go with a more "canon" approach. Ive taken the table from Races of the Wild (an excellent suggestion by Kuruk, thank you!) and the few names from the Players handbook.

While the two do not match, it does give some variety. Ive taken one part from PHB and the other from Races of the Wild and Ive got a pretty nice-sounding and unique name for the character I think :)

Thanks everyone!!

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
banditt_adams 07-16-07, 05:22 PM	One thing that I thought would be easily found through a google search would be some database that translates D&D elf words and names into "human common". Unfortunately, Ive become rather frustrated as I cannot find anything of the sort! Im just looking to have my character given an "authentic" name and was wondering if there is some such repository or translation website out there? Kindest regards, -Jason
Mock26 07-16-07, 05:32 PM	Pick up a copy of Languages of Tolkien' Middle Earth by Ruth S. Noel. You can easily create great sounding and "authentic" elven names.
Tempest Stormwind 07-16-07, 05:38 PM	D&D elven is just like the generic-elven-sounding words you see every so often -- plenty of vowels and musical tones, and a Y is practically mandatory. If you're looking for Tolkien-esque elven, the word you should search for is "Sindarin", not "elven" ("elven" gets you copycats, each of which has their own idea of what elven sounds like). This would find you places like this one (http://www.jrrvf.com/hisweloke/sindar/), which is a pretty decent translation in general.
Kuruk 07-16-07, 06:10 PM	Races of the Wild has a section on Elves and pages 31 and 32 have tables you can use to create names by mashing a given prefix and suffix together. If you don't want to shell out the money the book, I'll third the suggestion to use Tolkien-esque names.
banditt_adams 07-16-07, 10:59 PM	thanks everyone! Ill check the URL link and see what they have and also hit up that Races of the Wild :) I'm trying to not do the Tolkein elf language. I figure the D&D folks put some thought into it with their own Elven names, so I would see what they came up with :) Thanks again everyone, -Jason
TwiddleStootch 07-17-07, 01:04 PM	This is an Elven translator I use. (http://www.grey-company.org/Circle/language/search/languagebase.htm) It doesn't have a huge amount of words, but its pretty good, IMHO.
banditt_adams 07-17-07, 02:58 PM	This is an Elven translator I use. (http://www.grey-company.org/Circle/language/search/languagebase.htm) It doesn't have a huge amount of words, but its pretty good, IMHO. This one is nice too. thanks!
banditt_adams 07-17-07, 03:00 PM	Ive decided to go with a more "canon" approach. Ive taken the table from Races of the Wild (an excellent suggestion by Kuruk, thank you!) and the few names from the Players handbook. While the two do not match, it does give some variety. Ive taken one part from PHB and the other from Races of the Wild and Ive got a pretty nice-sounding and unique name for the character I think :) Thanks everyone!!