The Númenian Mode

Númenian Mode [PDF] Revised February 2026

During the Second Age, the Noldor set themselves to teaching the art of writing to the Men of the Ancient Houses with whom they had friendship. In this process, the Noldor drew upon their system, the Tengwar of Fëanor and developed a mode suited to the languages of Men. This form was first adopted by the Númenóreans, and became known as the Númenian Mode.

The Númenian Mode proved highly versatile and was readily applied to many languages, including Quenya, Sindarin and the Common Speech, eventually even replacing the Beleriandic Mode among the elves.

By the Third Age, the Númenian Mode of the Tengwar had spread broadly across the western lands, with variations arising in different regions. It was during this period that it was used in some variety by all. As this expansion occurred it became known as the General Use because it was so widely known across Middle Earth.

In this annex to the Tengwar Textbook we review the history and outline the many variations of this mode. It is through this mode that the Tengwar are adapted to English and the General Use, common among fans today, finds its origin.

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