Post by Grey on Oct 5, 2012 8:49:54 GMT -6
This is probably not an article. It's more just Grey theorising in public for about the thousandth time.
For anyone that reads Ailuronymy, perhaps you can remember to a few weeks back. Someone wrote in admiring the suffixes -watcher and akin, so I spent some time on the train thinking of how a possible system could occur to allow those names (and perhaps some others that are not accepted into traditionalism) and the context, et cetera. This is seriously what I do for fun when I'm on the train. I invent worlds and listen to jazz.
I used a few of the suggestions that were made, since that was kind of the purpose of the system. Warriors is an interesting world, because the naming system is essentially a cipher. Word equals meaning; all that needs to be decided is the meaning, and that's just dependent on the context. For example, if you switched the world of Warriors on its head:
All suffixes are given for the cats' worst trait, because it's a sign of humility and a recognition of their faults as mortal beings. It is their life's goal to overcome this by the time of their death.
Just that context alone changes everything. Prefixes would remain the same, but the suffixes would work in reverse - things like -whisker or -claw could be replaced with inherently negative ones, like -whisper or -fire, for example.
I'm not saying I endorse this as a system, but it's nevertheless an interesting thought.
I prefer systems that deal with an accurate representation of identity. Traditionalism is great like that - you get clear images about a character just from a few innocuous syllables. I just wondered if it were possible to make it even more specific. Considering that traditionalism represents appearance by prefix and personality or skill by suffix, I figured it would be fun to make names that would describe all three in one name.
So, the rules are:
- two names; a fore-name and a hind-name for every cat, which is the same structure as an average person's name, such as Toph Beifong. Toph is the fore-name, Beifong is the hind-name.
- the hind-name consists of a prefix and a suffix; in this way, it resembles an ordinary clan cat name.
- the fore-name represents appearance; the prefix in the hind-name represents a distinctive personality type or trait; the suffix in the hind-name represents a skill.
- the suffix of the hind-name always ends in -er and is in the form of a title, not a body part, animal, plant or anything else like that.
- the fore-name is given by the mother at the kitten's birth (or around that time) and does not change during life.
- the hind-name is given by a figure of authority, whoever that may be, upon the cat's maturity (or similar rite of passage).
- the fore-name can be anywhere from one to three syllables long; the hind-name can be a maximum of four syllables only. The suffix always ends in -er and is two syllables in length, no exceptions.
In a lot of ways, it's the same thing as traditionalism - just longer. However, this format allows for some key differences. For instance, a compound word (such as Blackberry) could be used as a fore-name.
The fore-name:
The equivalent of a clan cat's prefix, but not connected to anything. It is given for pelt colour only (size may also be inferred, but only alongside pelt colour).
Examples:
Daisy - a white or light ginger cat.
Kestrel - a black-and-brown pelted cat.
Meadowsweet - a white or light ginger cat.
Mouse - a small brown cat.
Because it stands alone, I can see no problem with names like sunflower~ or hedgehog~, provided they describe the cat. (Note, fore-name 'prefixes' have a squiggle ~, not a hyphen -).
The hind-name:
We'll start from the suffix, since that's more familiar as a concept to many of us. Just like the traditional suffix, it represents a skill. However, the words are different.
Examples:
-watcher, which implies that the cat is observant and has keen senses (this is the traditional equivalent of -nose).
-chaser, which implies that the cat is swift-footed (this is the traditional equivalent of -foot).
-hunter, which implies that the cat is excellent at hunting prey (this is the traditional equivalent of -whisker).
-keeper, which implies that the cat acts in a guardian-like manner and is good with youngsters (this is close to the traditional equivalent of -flower).
Despite appearances, hind-names are not corresponding. The prefix and suffix of the hind-name each represent a separate and unrelated trait.
The prefix for the hind-name is a personality-implying one, always. It is a word chosen to represent a specific trait, and there are probably a lot of them to choose from (I can't list them, since I haven't actually tried to figure many of them out yet; I probably will, and I'll put them here when I get the chance, in case anyone is interested). I haven't put much thought into these examples, so they're likely to change in meaning when I do.
Examples:
Cloud-, which implies that the cat is easy-going.
Ant-, which implies that the cat is a tireless worker.
Poppy-, which implies that the cat has an exceptionally soothing manner.
Shade-, which implies that the cat is quite pessimistic.
Some of these could be defined as negative traits. However, I don't think this is a problem. Unlike a warrior name, which has only one suffix, this system has two 'suffixes', one of which will inevitably be positive and reference a practical skill - no exceptions. This balances out any negativity that the personality prefix might imply - as well as this, the personality only highlights a key feature of the cat (and as we know, many traits can be viewed from various angles; a coward, or self-preserving; brave, or brash) and that even people with flaws (otherwise known as everyone) still have beneficial and brilliant aspects.
Overall:
In the end, you have names like Daisy Antchaser (a white, swift-footed and hard-working cat) or Meadowsweet Shadewatcher (a cynical but astute light ginger cat).
Because the prefix~ and prefix- are often the same words but with different implications, sometimes names such as Poppy Poppykeeper might happen, as strange coincidences of traits (in this case, a dark ginger cat with a maternal/paternal nature and a soothing presence).
Like an ordinary clan, no cats are given the same prefix~. Considering the incredible scope of possible personality and skill combinations, you would have to be very unlucky to have two cats with the same hind-name in the same forest - let alone the same clan. However, as their fore-names will be different, this is acceptable. If two cats with the same fore-name look almost identical in personality and skill, that's really weird and the authority figures will probably have to chat about what to do there. Also, maybe, burn them or something, because seriously, that's witchcraft.
Because these names are longer than an ordinary warrior name, it's customary to address a cat as their hind-name only. The exception to this is if they are a young cat without a hind-name, or they are very close emotionally - such as a old friend, family member or lover, I guess.
I don't believe that leaders would be given a special suffix or anything like that, but I haven't really put that much thought into the actual clowder structure, to be honest with you.
Anyway, that's my theory for a new naming system. I guess you could call it post-traditionalism, ehehehe. Tell me what you think of it, or if it's rubbish, or you know, whatever.
For those of you who are interested, a fair bit of inspiration for this came from one of my favourite names of all time (Grizraz Hearteater) and other names from Tailchaser's Song, as well as a little inspiration from the panserbjorne of His Dark Materials.
For anyone that reads Ailuronymy, perhaps you can remember to a few weeks back. Someone wrote in admiring the suffixes -watcher and akin, so I spent some time on the train thinking of how a possible system could occur to allow those names (and perhaps some others that are not accepted into traditionalism) and the context, et cetera. This is seriously what I do for fun when I'm on the train. I invent worlds and listen to jazz.
I used a few of the suggestions that were made, since that was kind of the purpose of the system. Warriors is an interesting world, because the naming system is essentially a cipher. Word equals meaning; all that needs to be decided is the meaning, and that's just dependent on the context. For example, if you switched the world of Warriors on its head:
All suffixes are given for the cats' worst trait, because it's a sign of humility and a recognition of their faults as mortal beings. It is their life's goal to overcome this by the time of their death.
Just that context alone changes everything. Prefixes would remain the same, but the suffixes would work in reverse - things like -whisker or -claw could be replaced with inherently negative ones, like -whisper or -fire, for example.
I'm not saying I endorse this as a system, but it's nevertheless an interesting thought.
I prefer systems that deal with an accurate representation of identity. Traditionalism is great like that - you get clear images about a character just from a few innocuous syllables. I just wondered if it were possible to make it even more specific. Considering that traditionalism represents appearance by prefix and personality or skill by suffix, I figured it would be fun to make names that would describe all three in one name.
So, the rules are:
- two names; a fore-name and a hind-name for every cat, which is the same structure as an average person's name, such as Toph Beifong. Toph is the fore-name, Beifong is the hind-name.
- the hind-name consists of a prefix and a suffix; in this way, it resembles an ordinary clan cat name.
- the fore-name represents appearance; the prefix in the hind-name represents a distinctive personality type or trait; the suffix in the hind-name represents a skill.
- the suffix of the hind-name always ends in -er and is in the form of a title, not a body part, animal, plant or anything else like that.
- the fore-name is given by the mother at the kitten's birth (or around that time) and does not change during life.
- the hind-name is given by a figure of authority, whoever that may be, upon the cat's maturity (or similar rite of passage).
- the fore-name can be anywhere from one to three syllables long; the hind-name can be a maximum of four syllables only. The suffix always ends in -er and is two syllables in length, no exceptions.
In a lot of ways, it's the same thing as traditionalism - just longer. However, this format allows for some key differences. For instance, a compound word (such as Blackberry) could be used as a fore-name.
The fore-name:
The equivalent of a clan cat's prefix, but not connected to anything. It is given for pelt colour only (size may also be inferred, but only alongside pelt colour).
Examples:
Daisy - a white or light ginger cat.
Kestrel - a black-and-brown pelted cat.
Meadowsweet - a white or light ginger cat.
Mouse - a small brown cat.
Because it stands alone, I can see no problem with names like sunflower~ or hedgehog~, provided they describe the cat. (Note, fore-name 'prefixes' have a squiggle ~, not a hyphen -).
The hind-name:
We'll start from the suffix, since that's more familiar as a concept to many of us. Just like the traditional suffix, it represents a skill. However, the words are different.
Examples:
-watcher, which implies that the cat is observant and has keen senses (this is the traditional equivalent of -nose).
-chaser, which implies that the cat is swift-footed (this is the traditional equivalent of -foot).
-hunter, which implies that the cat is excellent at hunting prey (this is the traditional equivalent of -whisker).
-keeper, which implies that the cat acts in a guardian-like manner and is good with youngsters (this is close to the traditional equivalent of -flower).
Despite appearances, hind-names are not corresponding. The prefix and suffix of the hind-name each represent a separate and unrelated trait.
The prefix for the hind-name is a personality-implying one, always. It is a word chosen to represent a specific trait, and there are probably a lot of them to choose from (I can't list them, since I haven't actually tried to figure many of them out yet; I probably will, and I'll put them here when I get the chance, in case anyone is interested). I haven't put much thought into these examples, so they're likely to change in meaning when I do.
Examples:
Cloud-, which implies that the cat is easy-going.
Ant-, which implies that the cat is a tireless worker.
Poppy-, which implies that the cat has an exceptionally soothing manner.
Shade-, which implies that the cat is quite pessimistic.
Some of these could be defined as negative traits. However, I don't think this is a problem. Unlike a warrior name, which has only one suffix, this system has two 'suffixes', one of which will inevitably be positive and reference a practical skill - no exceptions. This balances out any negativity that the personality prefix might imply - as well as this, the personality only highlights a key feature of the cat (and as we know, many traits can be viewed from various angles; a coward, or self-preserving; brave, or brash) and that even people with flaws (otherwise known as everyone) still have beneficial and brilliant aspects.
Overall:
In the end, you have names like Daisy Antchaser (a white, swift-footed and hard-working cat) or Meadowsweet Shadewatcher (a cynical but astute light ginger cat).
Because the prefix~ and prefix- are often the same words but with different implications, sometimes names such as Poppy Poppykeeper might happen, as strange coincidences of traits (in this case, a dark ginger cat with a maternal/paternal nature and a soothing presence).
Like an ordinary clan, no cats are given the same prefix~. Considering the incredible scope of possible personality and skill combinations, you would have to be very unlucky to have two cats with the same hind-name in the same forest - let alone the same clan. However, as their fore-names will be different, this is acceptable. If two cats with the same fore-name look almost identical in personality and skill, that's really weird and the authority figures will probably have to chat about what to do there. Also, maybe, burn them or something, because seriously, that's witchcraft.
Because these names are longer than an ordinary warrior name, it's customary to address a cat as their hind-name only. The exception to this is if they are a young cat without a hind-name, or they are very close emotionally - such as a old friend, family member or lover, I guess.
I don't believe that leaders would be given a special suffix or anything like that, but I haven't really put that much thought into the actual clowder structure, to be honest with you.
Anyway, that's my theory for a new naming system. I guess you could call it post-traditionalism, ehehehe. Tell me what you think of it, or if it's rubbish, or you know, whatever.
For those of you who are interested, a fair bit of inspiration for this came from one of my favourite names of all time (Grizraz Hearteater) and other names from Tailchaser's Song, as well as a little inspiration from the panserbjorne of His Dark Materials.