LYCOS RETRIEVER 
Tengwar: Letters
built 224 days ago
The Tengwar script is a system of consonantal signs without strictly fixed values; their glyphic structure comprises a matrix of potential phonetic relationships, rather than a set of fixed relationships between sound and character. The primary letters (U+xx00 - U+xx17) are formed of a telco 'stem' and a l™va 'bow'; raising the stem might indicate spirantization of a consonant, or doubling the bow might indicate voicing. Consonants are modified by tehtar 'signs', described below.
Source:
Later forms of Tengwar used individual letters to represent unique vowel sounds. This "open" form was developed by the Grey Elves living in Beleriand, and was therefore referred to as the "Mode of Beleriand".
Source:
Clickable "virtual keyboards". Some utilities ease the burden on users' memory by allowing them to type Tengwar by clicking buttons that have labels appropriate for some mode. To write the letter that represents the t sound, you would click the button "T". Daniel Smith has created macros for Word that provide this kind of service.
Source:
There are no examples in the books: "The Hobbit" or the "Lord of the Rings" of Quenya written with Tengwar letters. But early in the book "The Fellowship of the Ring" Frodo uses a Quenya phrase to greet Gildor the elf:
Source:
In studying what follows, it is particularly important to remember that in any given mode the Tengwar consonants form a phonetic grid in which alterations in form correspond to alterations in sound in a predictable way. Before continuing, you should probably reread (or at least re-skim) Tolkien's discussion of the Feanorian letters, pages 495-500 following the chart.
Source:
MORE ABOUT
Letters