Proper names in Fantasy Sci / Fi

[thomasallencummins]

Writing Fantasy / Sci-Fi

I offer the rather absurd example below to illustrate a point. I will comment further below.

Grathdrathar strode amongst the Council of Traklandine in defiance to the proclamation by Androthon of Snanlodrill, son of Flaaksnosheel. Grathdrathar wore his philishar thrust across his proud trunk with an opposing air of unease and self-belief. Androthon knew his imprudent gambit would fail and behaved accordingly.

“Grathrathar! You stand before the Traklandine. How dare you show your countenance in the sacred hall of Jornoth Krimbill? I Androthon accuse you before the assembled house of Sheeltradel. What say you? Have the Croatin Shilldrons stolen your tongue, you Shicklashorne Philadish? ”

“Androthon, you are the whelp of a grilloth-hound. I Grathdrathar doth seek retribution for the treasonous action for which you alone are unblameless. The Shar will see you krilldelldothed. Philadrill and Somacreed were slain by your lackeys, Cronusshar and Blachdellfunst son of Gornelldig. His creching knife was found amongst the Trells. How do you answer these charges, grilloth?”
Rolling Eyes

I have found a few examples of this while reading amateur and professional sci fi / fantasy fiction. After having read only a fraction of the first chapter, I begin to feel like an unwelcome eves dropper. When I begin to read a story that begins in this way my eyes cross as if I were reading Japanese vcr instructions. I understand the motivation of an author to establish a unique and unfamiliar world to his or her reader, but instant alienation cannot be the desired goal. There are a number of ways to establish a comfortable platform for the reader to give them some hope of understanding what is happening. I myself am guilty of this. I invite discussion on the subject.

[dANdeLION]

[thomasallencummins]

Well Dan. That certainly clarifies things.

[Avatar]

ROTFLMAO!

--A

[dANdeLION]

I'm not sure I understand your confusion, Atomic. I mean, it seems like a straightforward passage. Grathdrathar is obviously going before the council of Traklandine to press charges against the grilloth, Androthon, who is in turn trying to get the case thrown out of court by referencing Grathdrathar 's dubious Shicklashorne Philadish ethnicity.

[thomasallencummins]

danomite said:

I'm not sure I understand your confusion, Atomic. I mean, it seems like a straightforward passage. Grathdrathar is obviously going before the council of Traklandine to press charges against the grilloth, Androthon, who is in turn trying to get the case thrown out of court by referencing Grathdrathar 's dubious Shicklashorne Philadish ethnicity.

Well obviously!

unblameless?

[dANdeLION]

Unblameless: Not without blame.

[thomasallencummins]

danomite said:

Unblameless: Not without blame.

Not without blame but perhaps somewhat within blamelessly accused of blame but not wholly blamed in any case.

[ram]

This is an interesting topic.

atomic, I don't if you made up that passage in your opening post or if it's from an actual book. If it is from a real book, then someone needs to go to that author's place of residence and charge him with reckless endangerment of the English language.

It's depressing to hear that you have come across that level of sloppy writing from PROFESSIONALS. What is even more depressing is that I am not surprised at all. It's annoying that there are published authors who get away with writing that would get an 'F' from an elementary grade school teacher.

Seriously, how does it happen that a guy like Donaldson can get rejected 47 times for Lord Foul's Bane, but crap like the example you posted (whether real or "illustrative") gets published? It's no wonder the fantasy/sci-fi genre gets a bad rap.

[thomasallencummins]

Well, first of all I must claim responsibility for writing the opening paragraph in my original post and I DID exaggerate matters to illustrate my point. I have however read "serious" efforts that actually approach a similar level of absurdity. Since I haven't given this subject much thought in a while I'll keep my eye out for genuine references that seem to apply.

[dANdeLION]

Apr 5, 2007 9:08:46 GMT -5 thomasallencummins said:

Grathdrathar strode amongst the Council of Traklandine in defiance to the proclamation by Androthon of Snanlodrill, son of Flaaksnosheel. Grathdrathar wore his philishar thrust across his proud trunk with an opposing air of unease and self-belief. Androthon knew his imprudent gambit would fail and behaved accordingly.

“Grathrathar! You stand before the Traklandine. How dare you show your countenance in the sacred hall of Jornoth Krimbill? I Androthon accuse you before the assembled house of Sheeltradel. What say you? Have the Croatin Shilldrons stolen your tongue, you Shicklashorne Philadish? ”

Sure, it's a bit confusing, but I feel the fourth paragraph clarifies things a bit.

"'How dare I? Androthon, by your own decree do I stand here in defiance of this court! Remember you not of the Abholdan Proclimation of Ghishnos? It was your finest decree, undeniably made before the power of Fharrtishnaan so absolutely corrupted you.' Grathrathar stood proudly, his pranthallets shimmering brightly in the blathanian light of the flargthars. The Council sat silent, their snunned demeanor evident by the palenass of their khalebet ridges. Androthon had not expected this; clearly Grathrathar was more cunning than the Fopgnotoal Androthon had taken him for."