dimë

Dimë is a fictional language created by British author J.R.R. Tolkien for his Middle-earth legendarium. It is one of the two Elvish languages he developed, alongside Quenya, and is considered a "sister tongue" to it. Dimë is characterized by its more natural, less melodic sound compared to Quenya, reflecting the Elves' gradual adaptation to the changing world of Middle-earth.

The name *dimë* itself means "language" in Elvish, derived from the root *DIM-* (to speak). Tolkien described Dimë as a language that evolved over time, influenced by the Elves' experiences in Beleriand and later in the Second Age. Unlike Quenya, which retained many archaic features, Dimë incorporated more colloquial and regional variations, particularly among the Sindar, a major Elvish people.

Dimë is not as extensively documented as Quenya, as Tolkien focused more on the latter in his writings. However, he provided some key linguistic features, such as its use of softer consonants and a more flexible vowel system. Words in Dimë often had shorter forms compared to Quenya, reflecting a more practical and less ceremonial style of speech. For example, the Sindarin word for "house" (*barad*) has a Dimë counterpart (*baras*), demonstrating the language's simplified structure.

Tolkien’s notes on Dimë suggest it was primarily spoken by the Sindar, particularly in the northern regions of Beleriand. The language also influenced later Elvish dialects, contributing to the linguistic diversity of Middle-earth. While Dimë remains largely hypothetical due to Tolkien’s limited development, it plays a role in the cultural and historical tapestry of his legendarium, offering insight into the Elves' linguistic evolution over millennia.