diff --git a/src/libexpr/attr-path.cc b/src/libexpr/attr-path.cc
index 83854df49..54e13e6a2 100644
--- a/src/libexpr/attr-path.cc
+++ b/src/libexpr/attr-path.cc
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ std::pair<Value *, Pos> findAlongAttrPath(EvalState & state, const string & attr
 
         if (apType == apAttr) {
 
-            if (v->type != tAttrs)
+            if (v->normalType() != nAttrs)
                 throw TypeError(
                     "the expression selected by the selection path '%1%' should be a set but is %2%",
                     attrPath,
diff --git a/src/libexpr/eval-cache.cc b/src/libexpr/eval-cache.cc
index a11327f77..3c97f1201 100644
--- a/src/libexpr/eval-cache.cc
+++ b/src/libexpr/eval-cache.cc
@@ -390,14 +390,14 @@ Value & AttrCursor::forceValue()
     }
 
     if (root->db && (!cachedValue || std::get_if<placeholder_t>(&cachedValue->second))) {
-        if (v.type == tString)
+        if (v.normalType() == nString)
             cachedValue = {root->db->setString(getKey(), v.string.s, v.string.context),
                            string_t{v.string.s, {}}};
-        else if (v.type == tPath)
+        else if (v.normalType() == nPath)
             cachedValue = {root->db->setString(getKey(), v.path), v.path};
-        else if (v.type == tBool)
+        else if (v.normalType() == nBool)
             cachedValue = {root->db->setBool(getKey(), v.boolean), v.boolean};
-        else if (v.type == tAttrs)
+        else if (v.normalType() == nAttrs)
             ; // FIXME: do something?
         else
             cachedValue = {root->db->setMisc(getKey()), misc_t()};
@@ -442,7 +442,7 @@ std::shared_ptr<AttrCursor> AttrCursor::maybeGetAttr(Symbol name, bool forceErro
 
     auto & v = forceValue();
 
-    if (v.type != tAttrs)
+    if (v.normalType() != nAttrs)
         return nullptr;
         //throw TypeError("'%s' is not an attribute set", getAttrPathStr());
 
@@ -512,10 +512,10 @@ std::string AttrCursor::getString()
 
     auto & v = forceValue();
 
-    if (v.type != tString && v.type != tPath)
+    if (v.normalType() != nString && v.normalType() != nPath)
         throw TypeError("'%s' is not a string but %s", getAttrPathStr(), showType(v.normalType()));
 
-    return v.type == tString ? v.string.s : v.path;
+    return v.normalType() == nString ? v.string.s : v.path;
 }
 
 string_t AttrCursor::getStringWithContext()
@@ -543,9 +543,9 @@ string_t AttrCursor::getStringWithContext()
 
     auto & v = forceValue();
 
-    if (v.type == tString)
+    if (v.normalType() == nString)
         return {v.string.s, v.getContext()};
-    else if (v.type == tPath)
+    else if (v.normalType() == nPath)
         return {v.path, {}};
     else
         throw TypeError("'%s' is not a string but %s", getAttrPathStr(), showType(v.normalType()));
@@ -567,7 +567,7 @@ bool AttrCursor::getBool()
 
     auto & v = forceValue();
 
-    if (v.type != tBool)
+    if (v.normalType() != nBool)
         throw TypeError("'%s' is not a Boolean", getAttrPathStr());
 
     return v.boolean;
@@ -589,7 +589,7 @@ std::vector<Symbol> AttrCursor::getAttrs()
 
     auto & v = forceValue();
 
-    if (v.type != tAttrs)
+    if (v.normalType() != nAttrs)
         throw TypeError("'%s' is not an attribute set", getAttrPathStr());
 
     std::vector<Symbol> attrs;
diff --git a/src/libexpr/eval-inline.hh b/src/libexpr/eval-inline.hh
index a0fd9b569..9b644d5cb 100644
--- a/src/libexpr/eval-inline.hh
+++ b/src/libexpr/eval-inline.hh
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ void EvalState::forceValue(Value & v, const Pos & pos)
 inline void EvalState::forceAttrs(Value & v)
 {
     forceValue(v);
-    if (v.type != tAttrs)
+    if (v.normalType() != nAttrs)
         throwTypeError("value is %1% while a set was expected", v);
 }
 
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ inline void EvalState::forceAttrs(Value & v)
 inline void EvalState::forceAttrs(Value & v, const Pos & pos)
 {
     forceValue(v, pos);
-    if (v.type != tAttrs)
+    if (v.normalType() != nAttrs)
         throwTypeError(pos, "value is %1% while a set was expected", v);
 }
 
diff --git a/src/libexpr/eval.cc b/src/libexpr/eval.cc
index f68828944..f33426b59 100644
--- a/src/libexpr/eval.cc
+++ b/src/libexpr/eval.cc
@@ -947,7 +947,7 @@ inline bool EvalState::evalBool(Env & env, Expr * e)
 {
     Value v;
     e->eval(*this, env, v);
-    if (v.type != tBool)
+    if (v.normalType() != nBool)
         throwTypeError("value is %1% while a Boolean was expected", v);
     return v.boolean;
 }
@@ -957,7 +957,7 @@ inline bool EvalState::evalBool(Env & env, Expr * e, const Pos & pos)
 {
     Value v;
     e->eval(*this, env, v);
-    if (v.type != tBool)
+    if (v.normalType() != nBool)
         throwTypeError(pos, "value is %1% while a Boolean was expected", v);
     return v.boolean;
 }
@@ -966,7 +966,7 @@ inline bool EvalState::evalBool(Env & env, Expr * e, const Pos & pos)
 inline void EvalState::evalAttrs(Env & env, Expr * e, Value & v)
 {
     e->eval(*this, env, v);
-    if (v.type != tAttrs)
+    if (v.normalType() != nAttrs)
         throwTypeError("value is %1% while a set was expected", v);
 }
 
@@ -1066,7 +1066,7 @@ void ExprAttrs::eval(EvalState & state, Env & env, Value & v)
         Value nameVal;
         i.nameExpr->eval(state, *dynamicEnv, nameVal);
         state.forceValue(nameVal, i.pos);
-        if (nameVal.type == tNull)
+        if (nameVal.normalType() == nNull)
             continue;
         state.forceStringNoCtx(nameVal);
         Symbol nameSym = state.symbols.create(nameVal.string.s);
@@ -1151,7 +1151,7 @@ void ExprSelect::eval(EvalState & state, Env & env, Value & v)
             Symbol name = getName(i, state, env);
             if (def) {
                 state.forceValue(*vAttrs, pos);
-                if (vAttrs->type != tAttrs ||
+                if (vAttrs->normalType() != nAttrs ||
                     (j = vAttrs->attrs->find(name)) == vAttrs->attrs->end())
                 {
                     def->eval(state, env, v);
@@ -1191,7 +1191,7 @@ void ExprOpHasAttr::eval(EvalState & state, Env & env, Value & v)
         state.forceValue(*vAttrs);
         Bindings::iterator j;
         Symbol name = getName(i, state, env);
-        if (vAttrs->type != tAttrs ||
+        if (vAttrs->normalType() != nAttrs ||
             (j = vAttrs->attrs->find(name)) == vAttrs->attrs->end())
         {
             mkBool(v, false);
@@ -1269,7 +1269,7 @@ void EvalState::callFunction(Value & fun, Value & arg, Value & v, const Pos & po
         return;
     }
 
-    if (fun.type == tAttrs) {
+    if (fun.normalType() == nAttrs) {
       auto found = fun.attrs->find(sFunctor);
       if (found != fun.attrs->end()) {
         /* fun may be allocated on the stack of the calling function,
@@ -1368,7 +1368,7 @@ void EvalState::autoCallFunction(Bindings & args, Value & fun, Value & res)
 {
     forceValue(fun);
 
-    if (fun.type == tAttrs) {
+    if (fun.normalType() == nAttrs) {
         auto found = fun.attrs->find(sFunctor);
         if (found != fun.attrs->end()) {
             Value * v = allocValue();
@@ -1562,7 +1562,7 @@ void ExprConcatStrings::eval(EvalState & state, Env & env, Value & v)
     NixFloat nf = 0;
 
     bool first = !forceString;
-    ValueType firstType = tString;
+    NormalType firstType = nString;
 
     for (auto & i : *es) {
         Value vTmp;
@@ -1573,36 +1573,36 @@ void ExprConcatStrings::eval(EvalState & state, Env & env, Value & v)
            since paths are copied when they are used in a derivation),
            and none of the strings are allowed to have contexts. */
         if (first) {
-            firstType = vTmp.type;
+            firstType = vTmp.normalType();
             first = false;
         }
 
-        if (firstType == tInt) {
-            if (vTmp.type == tInt) {
+        if (firstType == nInt) {
+            if (vTmp.normalType() == nInt) {
                 n += vTmp.integer;
-            } else if (vTmp.type == tFloat) {
+            } else if (vTmp.normalType() == nFloat) {
                 // Upgrade the type from int to float;
-                firstType = tFloat;
+                firstType = nFloat;
                 nf = n;
                 nf += vTmp.fpoint;
             } else
                 throwEvalError(pos, "cannot add %1% to an integer", showType(vTmp));
-        } else if (firstType == tFloat) {
-            if (vTmp.type == tInt) {
+        } else if (firstType == nFloat) {
+            if (vTmp.normalType() == nInt) {
                 nf += vTmp.integer;
-            } else if (vTmp.type == tFloat) {
+            } else if (vTmp.normalType() == nFloat) {
                 nf += vTmp.fpoint;
             } else
                 throwEvalError(pos, "cannot add %1% to a float", showType(vTmp));
         } else
-            s << state.coerceToString(pos, vTmp, context, false, firstType == tString);
+            s << state.coerceToString(pos, vTmp, context, false, firstType == nString);
     }
 
-    if (firstType == tInt)
+    if (firstType == nInt)
         mkInt(v, n);
-    else if (firstType == tFloat)
+    else if (firstType == nFloat)
         mkFloat(v, nf);
-    else if (firstType == tPath) {
+    else if (firstType == nPath) {
         if (!context.empty())
             throwEvalError(pos, "a string that refers to a store path cannot be appended to a path");
         auto path = canonPath(s.str());
@@ -1629,7 +1629,7 @@ void EvalState::forceValueDeep(Value & v)
 
         forceValue(v);
 
-        if (v.type == tAttrs) {
+        if (v.normalType() == nAttrs) {
             for (auto & i : *v.attrs)
                 try {
                     recurse(*i.value);
@@ -1652,7 +1652,7 @@ void EvalState::forceValueDeep(Value & v)
 NixInt EvalState::forceInt(Value & v, const Pos & pos)
 {
     forceValue(v, pos);
-    if (v.type != tInt)
+    if (v.normalType() != nInt)
         throwTypeError(pos, "value is %1% while an integer was expected", v);
     return v.integer;
 }
@@ -1661,9 +1661,9 @@ NixInt EvalState::forceInt(Value & v, const Pos & pos)
 NixFloat EvalState::forceFloat(Value & v, const Pos & pos)
 {
     forceValue(v, pos);
-    if (v.type == tInt)
+    if (v.normalType() == nInt)
         return v.integer;
-    else if (v.type != tFloat)
+    else if (v.normalType() != nFloat)
         throwTypeError(pos, "value is %1% while a float was expected", v);
     return v.fpoint;
 }
@@ -1672,7 +1672,7 @@ NixFloat EvalState::forceFloat(Value & v, const Pos & pos)
 bool EvalState::forceBool(Value & v, const Pos & pos)
 {
     forceValue(v, pos);
-    if (v.type != tBool)
+    if (v.normalType() != nBool)
         throwTypeError(pos, "value is %1% while a Boolean was expected", v);
     return v.boolean;
 }
@@ -1680,14 +1680,14 @@ bool EvalState::forceBool(Value & v, const Pos & pos)
 
 bool EvalState::isFunctor(Value & fun)
 {
-    return fun.type == tAttrs && fun.attrs->find(sFunctor) != fun.attrs->end();
+    return fun.normalType() == nAttrs && fun.attrs->find(sFunctor) != fun.attrs->end();
 }
 
 
 void EvalState::forceFunction(Value & v, const Pos & pos)
 {
     forceValue(v, pos);
-    if (v.type != tLambda && v.type != tPrimOp && v.type != tPrimOpApp && !isFunctor(v))
+    if (v.normalType() != nFunction && !isFunctor(v))
         throwTypeError(pos, "value is %1% while a function was expected", v);
 }
 
@@ -1695,7 +1695,7 @@ void EvalState::forceFunction(Value & v, const Pos & pos)
 string EvalState::forceString(Value & v, const Pos & pos)
 {
     forceValue(v, pos);
-    if (v.type != tString) {
+    if (v.normalType() != nString) {
         if (pos)
             throwTypeError(pos, "value is %1% while a string was expected", v);
         else
@@ -1761,11 +1761,11 @@ string EvalState::forceStringNoCtx(Value & v, const Pos & pos)
 
 bool EvalState::isDerivation(Value & v)
 {
-    if (v.type != tAttrs) return false;
+    if (v.normalType() != nAttrs) return false;
     Bindings::iterator i = v.attrs->find(sType);
     if (i == v.attrs->end()) return false;
     forceValue(*i->value);
-    if (i->value->type != tString) return false;
+    if (i->value->normalType() != nString) return false;
     return strcmp(i->value->string.s, "derivation") == 0;
 }
 
@@ -1790,17 +1790,17 @@ string EvalState::coerceToString(const Pos & pos, Value & v, PathSet & context,
 
     string s;
 
-    if (v.type == tString) {
+    if (v.normalType() == nString) {
         copyContext(v, context);
         return v.string.s;
     }
 
-    if (v.type == tPath) {
+    if (v.normalType() == nPath) {
         Path path(canonPath(v.path));
         return copyToStore ? copyPathToStore(context, path) : path;
     }
 
-    if (v.type == tAttrs) {
+    if (v.normalType() == nAttrs) {
         auto maybeString = tryAttrsToString(pos, v, context, coerceMore, copyToStore);
         if (maybeString) {
             return *maybeString;
@@ -1810,18 +1810,18 @@ string EvalState::coerceToString(const Pos & pos, Value & v, PathSet & context,
         return coerceToString(pos, *i->value, context, coerceMore, copyToStore);
     }
 
-    if (v.type == tExternal)
+    if (v.normalType() == nExternal)
         return v.external->coerceToString(pos, context, coerceMore, copyToStore);
 
     if (coerceMore) {
 
         /* Note that `false' is represented as an empty string for
            shell scripting convenience, just like `null'. */
-        if (v.type == tBool && v.boolean) return "1";
-        if (v.type == tBool && !v.boolean) return "";
-        if (v.type == tInt) return std::to_string(v.integer);
-        if (v.type == tFloat) return std::to_string(v.fpoint);
-        if (v.type == tNull) return "";
+        if (v.normalType() == nBool && v.boolean) return "1";
+        if (v.normalType() == nBool && !v.boolean) return "";
+        if (v.normalType() == nInt) return std::to_string(v.integer);
+        if (v.normalType() == nFloat) return std::to_string(v.fpoint);
+        if (v.normalType() == nNull) return "";
 
         if (v.isList()) {
             string result;
@@ -1884,40 +1884,38 @@ bool EvalState::eqValues(Value & v1, Value & v2)
     if (&v1 == &v2) return true;
 
     // Special case type-compatibility between float and int
-    if (v1.type == tInt && v2.type == tFloat)
+    if (v1.normalType() == nInt && v2.normalType() == nFloat)
         return v1.integer == v2.fpoint;
-    if (v1.type == tFloat && v2.type == tInt)
+    if (v1.normalType() == nFloat && v2.normalType() == nInt)
         return v1.fpoint == v2.integer;
 
     // All other types are not compatible with each other.
-    if (v1.type != v2.type) return false;
+    if (v1.normalType() != v2.normalType()) return false;
 
-    switch (v1.type) {
+    switch (v1.normalType()) {
 
-        case tInt:
+        case nInt:
             return v1.integer == v2.integer;
 
-        case tBool:
+        case nBool:
             return v1.boolean == v2.boolean;
 
-        case tString:
+        case nString:
             return strcmp(v1.string.s, v2.string.s) == 0;
 
-        case tPath:
+        case nPath:
             return strcmp(v1.path, v2.path) == 0;
 
-        case tNull:
+        case nNull:
             return true;
 
-        case tList1:
-        case tList2:
-        case tListN:
+        case nList:
             if (v1.listSize() != v2.listSize()) return false;
             for (size_t n = 0; n < v1.listSize(); ++n)
                 if (!eqValues(*v1.listElems()[n], *v2.listElems()[n])) return false;
             return true;
 
-        case tAttrs: {
+        case nAttrs: {
             /* If both sets denote a derivation (type = "derivation"),
                then compare their outPaths. */
             if (isDerivation(v1) && isDerivation(v2)) {
@@ -1939,15 +1937,13 @@ bool EvalState::eqValues(Value & v1, Value & v2)
         }
 
         /* Functions are incomparable. */
-        case tLambda:
-        case tPrimOp:
-        case tPrimOpApp:
+        case nFunction:
             return false;
 
-        case tExternal:
+        case nExternal:
             return *v1.external == *v2.external;
 
-        case tFloat:
+        case nFloat:
             return v1.fpoint == v2.fpoint;
 
         default:
diff --git a/src/libexpr/flake/flake.cc b/src/libexpr/flake/flake.cc
index 881b1b4e5..c126b2c40 100644
--- a/src/libexpr/flake/flake.cc
+++ b/src/libexpr/flake/flake.cc
@@ -120,7 +120,7 @@ static FlakeInput parseFlakeInput(EvalState & state,
                 expectType(state, nString, *attr.value, *attr.pos);
                 input.follows = parseInputPath(attr.value->string.s);
             } else {
-                if (attr.value->type == tString)
+                if (attr.value->normalType() == nString)
                     attrs.emplace(attr.name, attr.value->string.s);
                 else
                     throw TypeError("flake input attribute '%s' is %s while a string is expected",
@@ -235,17 +235,17 @@ static Flake getFlake(
 
         for (auto & setting : *nixConfig->value->attrs) {
             forceTrivialValue(state, *setting.value, *setting.pos);
-            if (setting.value->type == tString)
+            if (setting.value->normalType() == nString)
                 flake.config.settings.insert({setting.name, state.forceStringNoCtx(*setting.value, *setting.pos)});
-            else if (setting.value->type == tInt)
+            else if (setting.value->normalType() == nInt)
                 flake.config.settings.insert({setting.name, state.forceInt(*setting.value, *setting.pos)});
-            else if (setting.value->type == tBool)
+            else if (setting.value->normalType() == nBool)
                 flake.config.settings.insert({setting.name, state.forceBool(*setting.value, *setting.pos)});
-            else if (setting.value->isList()) {
+            else if (setting.value->normalType() == nList) {
                 std::vector<std::string> ss;
                 for (unsigned int n = 0; n < setting.value->listSize(); ++n) {
                     auto elem = setting.value->listElems()[n];
-                    if (elem->type != tString)
+                    if (elem->normalType() != nString)
                         throw TypeError("list element in flake configuration setting '%s' is %s while a string is expected",
                             setting.name, showType(*setting.value));
                     ss.push_back(state.forceStringNoCtx(*elem, *setting.pos));
diff --git a/src/libexpr/get-drvs.cc b/src/libexpr/get-drvs.cc
index 91916e8bf..93788273f 100644
--- a/src/libexpr/get-drvs.cc
+++ b/src/libexpr/get-drvs.cc
@@ -128,7 +128,7 @@ DrvInfo::Outputs DrvInfo::queryOutputs(bool onlyOutputsToInstall)
     if (!outTI->isList()) throw errMsg;
     Outputs result;
     for (auto i = outTI->listElems(); i != outTI->listElems() + outTI->listSize(); ++i) {
-        if ((*i)->type != tString) throw errMsg;
+        if ((*i)->normalType() != nString) throw errMsg;
         auto out = outputs.find((*i)->string.s);
         if (out == outputs.end()) throw errMsg;
         result.insert(*out);
@@ -172,20 +172,20 @@ StringSet DrvInfo::queryMetaNames()
 bool DrvInfo::checkMeta(Value & v)
 {
     state->forceValue(v);
-    if (v.isList()) {
+    if (v.normalType() == nList) {
         for (unsigned int n = 0; n < v.listSize(); ++n)
             if (!checkMeta(*v.listElems()[n])) return false;
         return true;
     }
-    else if (v.type == tAttrs) {
+    else if (v.normalType() == nAttrs) {
         Bindings::iterator i = v.attrs->find(state->sOutPath);
         if (i != v.attrs->end()) return false;
         for (auto & i : *v.attrs)
             if (!checkMeta(*i.value)) return false;
         return true;
     }
-    else return v.type == tInt || v.type == tBool || v.type == tString ||
-                v.type == tFloat;
+    else return v.normalType() == nInt || v.normalType() == nBool || v.normalType() == nString ||
+                v.normalType() == nFloat;
 }
 
 
@@ -201,7 +201,7 @@ Value * DrvInfo::queryMeta(const string & name)
 string DrvInfo::queryMetaString(const string & name)
 {
     Value * v = queryMeta(name);
-    if (!v || v->type != tString) return "";
+    if (!v || v->normalType() != nString) return "";
     return v->string.s;
 }
 
@@ -210,8 +210,8 @@ NixInt DrvInfo::queryMetaInt(const string & name, NixInt def)
 {
     Value * v = queryMeta(name);
     if (!v) return def;
-    if (v->type == tInt) return v->integer;
-    if (v->type == tString) {
+    if (v->normalType() == nInt) return v->integer;
+    if (v->normalType() == nString) {
         /* Backwards compatibility with before we had support for
            integer meta fields. */
         NixInt n;
@@ -224,8 +224,8 @@ NixFloat DrvInfo::queryMetaFloat(const string & name, NixFloat def)
 {
     Value * v = queryMeta(name);
     if (!v) return def;
-    if (v->type == tFloat) return v->fpoint;
-    if (v->type == tString) {
+    if (v->normalType() == nFloat) return v->fpoint;
+    if (v->normalType() == nString) {
         /* Backwards compatibility with before we had support for
            float meta fields. */
         NixFloat n;
@@ -239,8 +239,8 @@ bool DrvInfo::queryMetaBool(const string & name, bool def)
 {
     Value * v = queryMeta(name);
     if (!v) return def;
-    if (v->type == tBool) return v->boolean;
-    if (v->type == tString) {
+    if (v->normalType() == nBool) return v->boolean;
+    if (v->normalType() == nString) {
         /* Backwards compatibility with before we had support for
            Boolean meta fields. */
         if (strcmp(v->string.s, "true") == 0) return true;
@@ -331,7 +331,7 @@ static void getDerivations(EvalState & state, Value & vIn,
     /* Process the expression. */
     if (!getDerivation(state, v, pathPrefix, drvs, done, ignoreAssertionFailures)) ;
 
-    else if (v.type == tAttrs) {
+    else if (v.normalType() == nAttrs) {
 
         /* !!! undocumented hackery to support combining channels in
            nix-env.cc. */
@@ -353,7 +353,7 @@ static void getDerivations(EvalState & state, Value & vIn,
                 /* If the value of this attribute is itself a set,
                    should we recurse into it?  => Only if it has a
                    `recurseForDerivations = true' attribute. */
-                if (i->value->type == tAttrs) {
+                if (i->value->normalType() == nAttrs) {
                     Bindings::iterator j = i->value->attrs->find(state.sRecurseForDerivations);
                     if (j != i->value->attrs->end() && state.forceBool(*j->value, *j->pos))
                         getDerivations(state, *i->value, pathPrefix2, autoArgs, drvs, done, ignoreAssertionFailures);
@@ -362,7 +362,7 @@ static void getDerivations(EvalState & state, Value & vIn,
         }
     }
 
-    else if (v.isList()) {
+    else if (v.normalType() == nList) {
         for (unsigned int n = 0; n < v.listSize(); ++n) {
             string pathPrefix2 = addToPath(pathPrefix, (format("%1%") % n).str());
             if (getDerivation(state, *v.listElems()[n], pathPrefix2, drvs, done, ignoreAssertionFailures))
diff --git a/src/libexpr/primops.cc b/src/libexpr/primops.cc
index 41f06c219..d501f7482 100644
--- a/src/libexpr/primops.cc
+++ b/src/libexpr/primops.cc
@@ -356,24 +356,20 @@ static void prim_typeOf(EvalState & state, const Pos & pos, Value * * args, Valu
 {
     state.forceValue(*args[0], pos);
     string t;
-    switch (args[0]->type) {
-        case tInt: t = "int"; break;
-        case tBool: t = "bool"; break;
-        case tString: t = "string"; break;
-        case tPath: t = "path"; break;
-        case tNull: t = "null"; break;
-        case tAttrs: t = "set"; break;
-        case tList1: case tList2: case tListN: t = "list"; break;
-        case tLambda:
-        case tPrimOp:
-        case tPrimOpApp:
-            t = "lambda";
-            break;
-        case tExternal:
+    switch (args[0]->normalType()) {
+        case nInt: t = "int"; break;
+        case nBool: t = "bool"; break;
+        case nString: t = "string"; break;
+        case nPath: t = "path"; break;
+        case nNull: t = "null"; break;
+        case nAttrs: t = "set"; break;
+        case nList: t = "list"; break;
+        case nFunction: t = "lambda"; break;
+        case nExternal:
             t = args[0]->external->typeOf();
             break;
-        case tFloat: t = "float"; break;
-        default: abort();
+        case nFloat: t = "float"; break;
+        case nThunk: abort();
     }
     mkString(v, state.symbols.create(t));
 }
@@ -393,7 +389,7 @@ static RegisterPrimOp primop_typeOf({
 static void prim_isNull(EvalState & state, const Pos & pos, Value * * args, Value & v)
 {
     state.forceValue(*args[0], pos);
-    mkBool(v, args[0]->type == tNull);
+    mkBool(v, args[0]->normalType() == nNull);
 }
 
 static RegisterPrimOp primop_isNull({
@@ -413,18 +409,7 @@ static RegisterPrimOp primop_isNull({
 static void prim_isFunction(EvalState & state, const Pos & pos, Value * * args, Value & v)
 {
     state.forceValue(*args[0], pos);
-    bool res;
-    switch (args[0]->type) {
-        case tLambda:
-        case tPrimOp:
-        case tPrimOpApp:
-            res = true;
-            break;
-        default:
-            res = false;
-            break;
-    }
-    mkBool(v, res);
+    mkBool(v, args[0]->normalType() == nFunction);
 }
 
 static RegisterPrimOp primop_isFunction({
@@ -440,7 +425,7 @@ static RegisterPrimOp primop_isFunction({
 static void prim_isInt(EvalState & state, const Pos & pos, Value * * args, Value & v)
 {
     state.forceValue(*args[0], pos);
-    mkBool(v, args[0]->type == tInt);
+    mkBool(v, args[0]->normalType() == nInt);
 }
 
 static RegisterPrimOp primop_isInt({
@@ -456,7 +441,7 @@ static RegisterPrimOp primop_isInt({
 static void prim_isFloat(EvalState & state, const Pos & pos, Value * * args, Value & v)
 {
     state.forceValue(*args[0], pos);
-    mkBool(v, args[0]->type == tFloat);
+    mkBool(v, args[0]->normalType() == nFloat);
 }
 
 static RegisterPrimOp primop_isFloat({
@@ -472,7 +457,7 @@ static RegisterPrimOp primop_isFloat({
 static void prim_isString(EvalState & state, const Pos & pos, Value * * args, Value & v)
 {
     state.forceValue(*args[0], pos);
-    mkBool(v, args[0]->type == tString);
+    mkBool(v, args[0]->normalType() == nString);
 }
 
 static RegisterPrimOp primop_isString({
@@ -488,7 +473,7 @@ static RegisterPrimOp primop_isString({
 static void prim_isBool(EvalState & state, const Pos & pos, Value * * args, Value & v)
 {
     state.forceValue(*args[0], pos);
-    mkBool(v, args[0]->type == tBool);
+    mkBool(v, args[0]->normalType() == nBool);
 }
 
 static RegisterPrimOp primop_isBool({
@@ -504,7 +489,7 @@ static RegisterPrimOp primop_isBool({
 static void prim_isPath(EvalState & state, const Pos & pos, Value * * args, Value & v)
 {
     state.forceValue(*args[0], pos);
-    mkBool(v, args[0]->type == tPath);
+    mkBool(v, args[0]->normalType() == nPath);
 }
 
 static RegisterPrimOp primop_isPath({
@@ -520,20 +505,20 @@ struct CompareValues
 {
     bool operator () (const Value * v1, const Value * v2) const
     {
-        if (v1->type == tFloat && v2->type == tInt)
+        if (v1->normalType() == nFloat && v2->normalType() == nInt)
             return v1->fpoint < v2->integer;
-        if (v1->type == tInt && v2->type == tFloat)
+        if (v1->normalType() == nInt && v2->normalType() == nFloat)
             return v1->integer < v2->fpoint;
-        if (v1->type != v2->type)
+        if (v1->normalType() != v2->normalType())
             throw EvalError("cannot compare %1% with %2%", showType(*v1), showType(*v2));
-        switch (v1->type) {
-            case tInt:
+        switch (v1->normalType()) {
+            case nInt:
                 return v1->integer < v2->integer;
-            case tFloat:
+            case nFloat:
                 return v1->fpoint < v2->fpoint;
-            case tString:
+            case nString:
                 return strcmp(v1->string.s, v2->string.s) < 0;
-            case tPath:
+            case nPath:
                 return strcmp(v1->path, v2->path) < 0;
             default:
                 throw EvalError("cannot compare %1% with %2%", showType(*v1), showType(*v2));
@@ -777,7 +762,7 @@ static RegisterPrimOp primop_deepSeq({
 static void prim_trace(EvalState & state, const Pos & pos, Value * * args, Value & v)
 {
     state.forceValue(*args[0], pos);
-    if (args[0]->type == tString)
+    if (args[0]->normalType() == nString)
         printError("trace: %1%", args[0]->string.s);
     else
         printError("trace: %1%", *args[0]);
@@ -902,7 +887,7 @@ static void prim_derivationStrict(EvalState & state, const Pos & pos, Value * *
 
             if (ignoreNulls) {
                 state.forceValue(*i->value, pos);
-                if (i->value->type == tNull) continue;
+                if (i->value->normalType() == nNull) continue;
             }
 
             if (i->name == state.sContentAddressed) {
@@ -1308,7 +1293,7 @@ static void prim_dirOf(EvalState & state, const Pos & pos, Value * * args, Value
 {
     PathSet context;
     Path dir = dirOf(state.coerceToString(pos, *args[0], context, false, false));
-    if (args[0]->type == tPath) mkPath(v, dir.c_str()); else mkString(v, dir, context);
+    if (args[0]->normalType() == nPath) mkPath(v, dir.c_str()); else mkString(v, dir, context);
 }
 
 static RegisterPrimOp primop_dirOf({
@@ -1808,7 +1793,7 @@ static void prim_filterSource(EvalState & state, const Pos & pos, Value * * args
         });
 
     state.forceValue(*args[0], pos);
-    if (args[0]->type != tLambda)
+    if (args[0]->normalType() != nFunction)
         throw TypeError({
             .hint = hintfmt(
                 "first argument in call to 'filterSource' is not a function but %1%",
@@ -2074,7 +2059,7 @@ static RegisterPrimOp primop_hasAttr({
 static void prim_isAttrs(EvalState & state, const Pos & pos, Value * * args, Value & v)
 {
     state.forceValue(*args[0], pos);
-    mkBool(v, args[0]->type == tAttrs);
+    mkBool(v, args[0]->normalType() == nAttrs);
 }
 
 static RegisterPrimOp primop_isAttrs({
@@ -2337,7 +2322,7 @@ static RegisterPrimOp primop_mapAttrs({
 static void prim_isList(EvalState & state, const Pos & pos, Value * * args, Value & v)
 {
     state.forceValue(*args[0], pos);
-    mkBool(v, args[0]->isList());
+    mkBool(v, args[0]->normalType() == nList);
 }
 
 static RegisterPrimOp primop_isList({
@@ -2831,7 +2816,7 @@ static void prim_add(EvalState & state, const Pos & pos, Value * * args, Value &
 {
     state.forceValue(*args[0], pos);
     state.forceValue(*args[1], pos);
-    if (args[0]->type == tFloat || args[1]->type == tFloat)
+    if (args[0]->normalType() == nFloat || args[1]->normalType() == nFloat)
         mkFloat(v, state.forceFloat(*args[0], pos) + state.forceFloat(*args[1], pos));
     else
         mkInt(v, state.forceInt(*args[0], pos) + state.forceInt(*args[1], pos));
@@ -2850,7 +2835,7 @@ static void prim_sub(EvalState & state, const Pos & pos, Value * * args, Value &
 {
     state.forceValue(*args[0], pos);
     state.forceValue(*args[1], pos);
-    if (args[0]->type == tFloat || args[1]->type == tFloat)
+    if (args[0]->normalType() == nFloat || args[1]->normalType() == nFloat)
         mkFloat(v, state.forceFloat(*args[0], pos) - state.forceFloat(*args[1], pos));
     else
         mkInt(v, state.forceInt(*args[0], pos) - state.forceInt(*args[1], pos));
@@ -2869,7 +2854,7 @@ static void prim_mul(EvalState & state, const Pos & pos, Value * * args, Value &
 {
     state.forceValue(*args[0], pos);
     state.forceValue(*args[1], pos);
-    if (args[0]->type == tFloat || args[1]->type == tFloat)
+    if (args[0]->normalType() == nFloat || args[1]->normalType() == nFloat)
         mkFloat(v, state.forceFloat(*args[0], pos) * state.forceFloat(*args[1], pos));
     else
         mkInt(v, state.forceInt(*args[0], pos) * state.forceInt(*args[1], pos));
@@ -2896,7 +2881,7 @@ static void prim_div(EvalState & state, const Pos & pos, Value * * args, Value &
             .errPos = pos
         });
 
-    if (args[0]->type == tFloat || args[1]->type == tFloat) {
+    if (args[0]->normalType() == nFloat || args[1]->normalType() == nFloat) {
         mkFloat(v, state.forceFloat(*args[0], pos) / state.forceFloat(*args[1], pos));
     } else {
         NixInt i1 = state.forceInt(*args[0], pos);
diff --git a/src/libexpr/primops/fetchMercurial.cc b/src/libexpr/primops/fetchMercurial.cc
index a77035c16..2461ebc99 100644
--- a/src/libexpr/primops/fetchMercurial.cc
+++ b/src/libexpr/primops/fetchMercurial.cc
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ static void prim_fetchMercurial(EvalState & state, const Pos & pos, Value * * ar
 
     state.forceValue(*args[0]);
 
-    if (args[0]->type == tAttrs) {
+    if (args[0]->normalType() == nAttrs) {
 
         state.forceAttrs(*args[0], pos);
 
diff --git a/src/libexpr/primops/fetchTree.cc b/src/libexpr/primops/fetchTree.cc
index d094edf92..6d93e1dc2 100644
--- a/src/libexpr/primops/fetchTree.cc
+++ b/src/libexpr/primops/fetchTree.cc
@@ -85,25 +85,25 @@ static void fetchTree(
 
     state.forceValue(*args[0]);
 
-    if (args[0]->type == tAttrs) {
+    if (args[0]->normalType() == nAttrs) {
         state.forceAttrs(*args[0], pos);
 
         fetchers::Attrs attrs;
 
         for (auto & attr : *args[0]->attrs) {
             state.forceValue(*attr.value);
-            if (attr.value->type == tPath || attr.value->type == tString)
+            if (attr.value->normalType() == nPath || attr.value->normalType() == nString)
                 addURI(
                     state,
                     attrs,
                     attr.name,
                     state.coerceToString(*attr.pos, *attr.value, context, false, false)
                 );
-            else if (attr.value->type == tString)
+            else if (attr.value->normalType() == nString)
                 addURI(state, attrs, attr.name, attr.value->string.s);
-            else if (attr.value->type == tBool)
+            else if (attr.value->normalType() == nBool)
                 attrs.emplace(attr.name, Explicit<bool>{attr.value->boolean});
-            else if (attr.value->type == tInt)
+            else if (attr.value->normalType() == nInt)
                 attrs.emplace(attr.name, attr.value->integer);
             else
                 throw TypeError("fetchTree argument '%s' is %s while a string, Boolean or integer is expected",
@@ -163,7 +163,7 @@ static void fetch(EvalState & state, const Pos & pos, Value * * args, Value & v,
 
     state.forceValue(*args[0]);
 
-    if (args[0]->type == tAttrs) {
+    if (args[0]->normalType() == nAttrs) {
 
         state.forceAttrs(*args[0], pos);
 
diff --git a/src/libexpr/value-to-json.cc b/src/libexpr/value-to-json.cc
index 6ec8315ba..b5f4c8654 100644
--- a/src/libexpr/value-to-json.cc
+++ b/src/libexpr/value-to-json.cc
@@ -16,30 +16,30 @@ void printValueAsJSON(EvalState & state, bool strict,
 
     if (strict) state.forceValue(v);
 
-    switch (v.type) {
+    switch (v.normalType()) {
 
-        case tInt:
+        case nInt:
             out.write(v.integer);
             break;
 
-        case tBool:
+        case nBool:
             out.write(v.boolean);
             break;
 
-        case tString:
+        case nString:
             copyContext(v, context);
             out.write(v.string.s);
             break;
 
-        case tPath:
+        case nPath:
             out.write(state.copyPathToStore(context, v.path));
             break;
 
-        case tNull:
+        case nNull:
             out.write(nullptr);
             break;
 
-        case tAttrs: {
+        case nAttrs: {
             auto maybeString = state.tryAttrsToString(noPos, v, context, false, false);
             if (maybeString) {
                 out.write(*maybeString);
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ void printValueAsJSON(EvalState & state, bool strict,
             break;
         }
 
-        case tList1: case tList2: case tListN: {
+        case nList: {
             auto list(out.list());
             for (unsigned int n = 0; n < v.listSize(); ++n) {
                 auto placeholder(list.placeholder());
@@ -70,15 +70,18 @@ void printValueAsJSON(EvalState & state, bool strict,
             break;
         }
 
-        case tExternal:
+        case nExternal:
             v.external->printValueAsJSON(state, strict, out, context);
             break;
 
-        case tFloat:
+        case nFloat:
             out.write(v.fpoint);
             break;
 
-        default:
+        case nThunk:
+            throw TypeError("cannot convert %1% to JSON", showType(v));
+
+        case nFunction:
             throw TypeError("cannot convert %1% to JSON", showType(v));
     }
 }
diff --git a/src/libexpr/value-to-xml.cc b/src/libexpr/value-to-xml.cc
index 1f0b1541d..26be07cff 100644
--- a/src/libexpr/value-to-xml.cc
+++ b/src/libexpr/value-to-xml.cc
@@ -58,31 +58,31 @@ static void printValueAsXML(EvalState & state, bool strict, bool location,
 
     if (strict) state.forceValue(v);
 
-    switch (v.type) {
+    switch (v.normalType()) {
 
-        case tInt:
+        case nInt:
             doc.writeEmptyElement("int", singletonAttrs("value", (format("%1%") % v.integer).str()));
             break;
 
-        case tBool:
+        case nBool:
             doc.writeEmptyElement("bool", singletonAttrs("value", v.boolean ? "true" : "false"));
             break;
 
-        case tString:
+        case nString:
             /* !!! show the context? */
             copyContext(v, context);
             doc.writeEmptyElement("string", singletonAttrs("value", v.string.s));
             break;
 
-        case tPath:
+        case nPath:
             doc.writeEmptyElement("path", singletonAttrs("value", v.path));
             break;
 
-        case tNull:
+        case nNull:
             doc.writeEmptyElement("null");
             break;
 
-        case tAttrs:
+        case nAttrs:
             if (state.isDerivation(v)) {
                 XMLAttrs xmlAttrs;
 
@@ -92,14 +92,14 @@ static void printValueAsXML(EvalState & state, bool strict, bool location,
                 a = v.attrs->find(state.sDrvPath);
                 if (a != v.attrs->end()) {
                     if (strict) state.forceValue(*a->value);
-                    if (a->value->type == tString)
+                    if (a->value->normalType() == nString)
                         xmlAttrs["drvPath"] = drvPath = a->value->string.s;
                 }
 
                 a = v.attrs->find(state.sOutPath);
                 if (a != v.attrs->end()) {
                     if (strict) state.forceValue(*a->value);
-                    if (a->value->type == tString)
+                    if (a->value->normalType() == nString)
                         xmlAttrs["outPath"] = a->value->string.s;
                 }
 
@@ -118,14 +118,19 @@ static void printValueAsXML(EvalState & state, bool strict, bool location,
 
             break;
 
-        case tList1: case tList2: case tListN: {
+        case nList: {
             XMLOpenElement _(doc, "list");
             for (unsigned int n = 0; n < v.listSize(); ++n)
                 printValueAsXML(state, strict, location, *v.listElems()[n], doc, context, drvsSeen);
             break;
         }
 
-        case tLambda: {
+        case nFunction: {
+            if (!v.isLambda()) {
+                // FIXME: Serialize primops and primopapps
+                doc.writeEmptyElement("unevaluated");
+                break;
+            }
             XMLAttrs xmlAttrs;
             if (location) posToXML(xmlAttrs, v.lambda.fun->pos);
             XMLOpenElement _(doc, "function", xmlAttrs);
@@ -143,15 +148,15 @@ static void printValueAsXML(EvalState & state, bool strict, bool location,
             break;
         }
 
-        case tExternal:
+        case nExternal:
             v.external->printValueAsXML(state, strict, location, doc, context, drvsSeen);
             break;
 
-        case tFloat:
+        case nFloat:
             doc.writeEmptyElement("float", singletonAttrs("value", (format("%1%") % v.fpoint).str()));
             break;
 
-        default:
+        case nThunk:
             doc.writeEmptyElement("unevaluated");
     }
 }
diff --git a/src/nix-env/nix-env.cc b/src/nix-env/nix-env.cc
index a4b5c9e2c..404fd5111 100644
--- a/src/nix-env/nix-env.cc
+++ b/src/nix-env/nix-env.cc
@@ -1138,38 +1138,38 @@ static void opQuery(Globals & globals, Strings opFlags, Strings opArgs)
                                         i.queryName(), j)
                                 });
                             else {
-                                if (v->type == tString) {
+                                if (v->normalType() == nString) {
                                     attrs2["type"] = "string";
                                     attrs2["value"] = v->string.s;
                                     xml.writeEmptyElement("meta", attrs2);
-                                } else if (v->type == tInt) {
+                                } else if (v->normalType() == nInt) {
                                     attrs2["type"] = "int";
                                     attrs2["value"] = (format("%1%") % v->integer).str();
                                     xml.writeEmptyElement("meta", attrs2);
-                                } else if (v->type == tFloat) {
+                                } else if (v->normalType() == nFloat) {
                                     attrs2["type"] = "float";
                                     attrs2["value"] = (format("%1%") % v->fpoint).str();
                                     xml.writeEmptyElement("meta", attrs2);
-                                } else if (v->type == tBool) {
+                                } else if (v->normalType() == nBool) {
                                     attrs2["type"] = "bool";
                                     attrs2["value"] = v->boolean ? "true" : "false";
                                     xml.writeEmptyElement("meta", attrs2);
-                                } else if (v->isList()) {
+                                } else if (v->normalType() == nList) {
                                     attrs2["type"] = "strings";
                                     XMLOpenElement m(xml, "meta", attrs2);
                                     for (unsigned int j = 0; j < v->listSize(); ++j) {
-                                        if (v->listElems()[j]->type != tString) continue;
+                                        if (v->listElems()[j]->normalType() != nString) continue;
                                         XMLAttrs attrs3;
                                         attrs3["value"] = v->listElems()[j]->string.s;
                                         xml.writeEmptyElement("string", attrs3);
                                     }
-                              } else if (v->type == tAttrs) {
+                              } else if (v->normalType() == nAttrs) {
                                   attrs2["type"] = "strings";
                                   XMLOpenElement m(xml, "meta", attrs2);
                                   Bindings & attrs = *v->attrs;
                                   for (auto &i : attrs) {
                                       Attr & a(*attrs.find(i.name));
-                                      if(a.value->type != tString) continue;
+                                      if(a.value->normalType() != nString) continue;
                                       XMLAttrs attrs3;
                                       attrs3["type"] = i.name;
                                       attrs3["value"] = a.value->string.s;
diff --git a/src/nix/eval.cc b/src/nix/eval.cc
index 0f02919de..bba3b1bc6 100644
--- a/src/nix/eval.cc
+++ b/src/nix/eval.cc
@@ -97,10 +97,10 @@ struct CmdEval : MixJSON, InstallableCommand
             recurse = [&](Value & v, const Pos & pos, const Path & path)
             {
                 state->forceValue(v);
-                if (v.type == tString)
+                if (v.normalType() == nString)
                     // FIXME: disallow strings with contexts?
                     writeFile(path, v.string.s);
-                else if (v.type == tAttrs) {
+                else if (v.normalType() == nAttrs) {
                     if (mkdir(path.c_str(), 0777) == -1)
                         throw SysError("creating directory '%s'", path);
                     for (auto & attr : *v.attrs)
diff --git a/src/nix/flake.cc b/src/nix/flake.cc
index 7a7c71676..80b050091 100644
--- a/src/nix/flake.cc
+++ b/src/nix/flake.cc
@@ -279,7 +279,7 @@ struct CmdFlakeCheck : FlakeCommand
                 if (v.type == tLambda) {
                     if (!v.lambda.fun->matchAttrs || !v.lambda.fun->formals->ellipsis)
                         throw Error("module must match an open attribute set ('{ config, ... }')");
-                } else if (v.type == tAttrs) {
+                } else if (v.normalType() == nAttrs) {
                     for (auto & attr : *v.attrs)
                         try {
                             state->forceValue(*attr.value, *attr.pos);
diff --git a/src/nix/repl.cc b/src/nix/repl.cc
index 3cee81b49..56184efb9 100644
--- a/src/nix/repl.cc
+++ b/src/nix/repl.cc
@@ -446,7 +446,7 @@ bool NixRepl::processLine(string line)
 
         Pos pos;
 
-        if (v.type == tPath || v.type == tString) {
+        if (v.normalType() == nPath || v.normalType() == nString) {
             PathSet context;
             auto filename = state->coerceToString(noPos, v, context);
             pos.file = state->symbols.create(filename);
@@ -669,31 +669,31 @@ std::ostream & NixRepl::printValue(std::ostream & str, Value & v, unsigned int m
 
     state->forceValue(v);
 
-    switch (v.type) {
+    switch (v.normalType()) {
 
-    case tInt:
+    case nInt:
         str << ANSI_CYAN << v.integer << ANSI_NORMAL;
         break;
 
-    case tBool:
+    case nBool:
         str << ANSI_CYAN << (v.boolean ? "true" : "false") << ANSI_NORMAL;
         break;
 
-    case tString:
+    case nString:
         str << ANSI_YELLOW;
         printStringValue(str, v.string.s);
         str << ANSI_NORMAL;
         break;
 
-    case tPath:
+    case nPath:
         str << ANSI_GREEN << v.path << ANSI_NORMAL; // !!! escaping?
         break;
 
-    case tNull:
+    case nNull:
         str << ANSI_CYAN "null" ANSI_NORMAL;
         break;
 
-    case tAttrs: {
+    case nAttrs: {
         seen.insert(&v);
 
         bool isDrv = state->isDerivation(v);
@@ -738,9 +738,7 @@ std::ostream & NixRepl::printValue(std::ostream & str, Value & v, unsigned int m
         break;
     }
 
-    case tList1:
-    case tList2:
-    case tListN:
+    case nList:
         seen.insert(&v);
 
         str << "[ ";
@@ -761,22 +759,21 @@ std::ostream & NixRepl::printValue(std::ostream & str, Value & v, unsigned int m
         str << "]";
         break;
 
-    case tLambda: {
-        std::ostringstream s;
-        s << v.lambda.fun->pos;
-        str << ANSI_BLUE "«lambda @ " << filterANSIEscapes(s.str()) << "»" ANSI_NORMAL;
-        break;
-    }
-
-    case tPrimOp:
-        str << ANSI_MAGENTA "«primop»" ANSI_NORMAL;
+    case nFunction:
+        if (v.type == tLambda) {
+            std::ostringstream s;
+            s << v.lambda.fun->pos;
+            str << ANSI_BLUE "«lambda @ " << filterANSIEscapes(s.str()) << "»" ANSI_NORMAL;
+        } else if (v.type == tPrimOp) {
+            str << ANSI_MAGENTA "«primop»" ANSI_NORMAL;
+        } else if (v.type == tPrimOpApp) {
+            str << ANSI_BLUE "«primop-app»" ANSI_NORMAL;
+        } else {
+            abort();
+        }
         break;
 
-    case tPrimOpApp:
-        str << ANSI_BLUE "«primop-app»" ANSI_NORMAL;
-        break;
-
-    case tFloat:
+    case nFloat:
         str << v.fpoint;
         break;