Ilk. initial [s] unvoiced following [l], [r], [w]; [s{lrw}-] > [ø{l̥r̥w̥}-]

Ilk. initial [s] unvoiced following [l], [r], [w]; [s{lrw}-] > [ø{l̥r̥w̥}-]

This Ilkorin phonetic rule is similar to sound changes that occurred in later Old Sindarin but not in contemporaneous Old Noldorin. Afterwards, the initial [s] was lost to leave only the voiceless initial consonants, as indicated on the Comparative Tables (PE19/20). There are no attested examples of this development in The Etymologies.

Conceptual Development: In later linguistic notes from around 1950, the “Beleriandic” development seems to have been initial [s-] to [θ-] instead: “sr > thr (þr)” (PE18/94), whereas simple initial y, w, l, r always became unvoiced (PE18/105). Both these developments were similar to the rules of Old Noldorin and Noldorin, so perhaps Tolkien switched the phonetic rules between the two languages; the later Sindarin language had the same development as the Ilkorin of the 1930s. This revision occurred shortly before Tolkien abandoned the Ilkorin language entirely.

Reference ✧ PE18/94

Order (02300)

Before 02500 initial [s] was lost before consonants ᴹ✶sl- > Ilk. lh- PE19/21

Phonetic Rule Elements

[sl-] > [l̥-] ✧ PE18/105 (l > lh); PE19/21 (sl- > lh-)
[sr-] > [r̥-] ✧ PE18/105 (r > rh); PE19/21 (sr- > rh-); PE18/94 (sr- > thr-)
[sw-] > [w̥-] ✧ PE18/105 (y > hy > h); PE18/105 (w > hw); PE19/21 (sw- > hw-)