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Monday, December 7, 2009

Still Working on that Planet, but Here's some Honorifics

VILLAGE RULES:
When there's a father of a household—or the leader of over ten people—they are given an honorific name of the first two initials of their grandfather's first name, with “Elder” preceding it. So, for example, there would be:
Elder Ja'Hova.
His Grandfather would be Jahon Hovahna, or, shortened, Ja'Hova. The “ ' ” is also an honorific, meaning that they have had children. If he/she were single or did not have a child—whether in or out of the womb doesn't matter—then they don't have the honor of having a shortened name. Most of the time, the more honor is bestowed when you have to say a whole name.
Imagine if they were from a foreign land and had a name like this:
Jahona Verim Shigwhanna Mayounce.
I really, REALLY wouldn't want to say that name, would you? EVERY time you have to address him?
“Jahona Verim Shigwhanna Mayounce, would you like some tea?”
“Jahona Verim Shigwhanna Mayounce, would you like to dance?”
“Jahona Verim Shigwhanna Mayounce, would you want this or that?”
Makes for a long conversation. This was how it once was, but no longer, since the man named Jahona Verim Shigwhanna Mayounce was Jahon Hovahna's father. Jahon had talked and reasoned with the council for almost three years before they finally listened, and they only granted his request because they didn't want him bugging them anymore.
When someone had a marriage, it was part of the marriage ceremony to have the Male get the honorific “Elder”. I'm trying to decide what the Woman's honorific would be. This could take some time, but I'm really excited about all of this preparation. :)

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