posted
I decided that my place name Dinas Emrys had to go. It's entire plane (an equivement to Phillip Jose Farmer's pocket universes) composed of passages and chambers in rock.
Too many people got confused with my character Emrys.
I considered Annwm. The average person would have to dig to figure out how to pronounce it. Then I considered, spelling it phonetically: Anoom, or Anume. Sounds too much like a Star Wars planet.
Sidi, but again that has a Star Wars feel to it.
I've also considered, Pedryvan, Veddwit, or thier phonetic equivelents.
They also relate to myths in the Welsh Otherworld, where there was a turning castle.
posted
Pedryvan sounds good. I suspect most people would struggle to pronounce Veddwit even if it was spelled phonetically. Posts: 626 | Registered: Jun 2003
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posted
I like both your options. Does one of them have a better connection with your story?
You might even look back into Celtic and Gallo-Breton place names for more inspiration. How about using the Welsh words for "deep cave" or some other descriptive phrase? Unless you are trying to establish a firm connection with the Mabinogion or a particular place, the sound of the place is what you are really trying to capture.
And remember, you can have worse connections than a place that sounds like a planet on Star Wars!
From http://www.mythopedia.info/14-celts.htm: "The otherworldly castle in Annwm that Arthur tried to assault was variously called Caer Pedryvan, 'four-cornered castle', which was 'forever revolving', Caer Wydyr, 'glass castle', Caer Veddwit, Caer Sidi, 'turning or spiral castle'. Seven of Arthur's men survived the attack on each castle (The spoils of Annwm, 10th century)."
The only connotation I do not want is the 'glass castle', because there is a seperate crystal realm.
posted
You know, I'd consider sticking with Annwm. Why? Because if you're writing scifi/fantasy your audience will very likely be people who have been familiarized in their reading with the basic Welsh, and won't have any trouble with accepting the name.
Astud.Llen It's a bibliography compiled by a former English professor of mine. It includes books on various place names from all over, including Wales.
Welsh Authors might also be helpful. It's by the same professor, and, if memory serves, helps explain the Welsh language.
[This message has been edited by Keeley (edited December 10, 2004).]
[This message has been edited by Keeley (edited December 10, 2004).]
Darn ... he's changed the website since I last looked at it. He used to have an online course there. Well, at least maybe you'll have some books you can look at.
[This message has been edited by Keeley (edited December 10, 2004).]
posted
Is there a good website that anyone knows of to help with the pronunciation of these names or words? Celtic languagues have always tripped me up.
Posts: 66 | Registered: Sep 2004
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