Abair m'ainm!

[muckefuck]

What is the English for redender Name? This is the German term--or, at least, a German term--for a name like "Scrooge McDuck" that reflects one or more prominent characteristics of a fictional character. They appear to be thick on the ground in Artemis Fowl, or at least that's the impression created by the fact that the Irish translator has rendered most of them Irish rather than preserving the forms found in the original English.

One name that does persist unchanged is that of the title character, probably as much for reasons of branding as any others. But given that he belongs to a centuries' old crime family, there's doubtless a pun here on "foul", which wouldn't translate. His faithful servant is named "Butler" which is rendered in Irish as de Buitléir, a common surname as well as the name for the occupation.

Most of the other characters in the first half, which is all I've read so far, are fairies, and the most prominent among these Holly Nic Ghirr, or "Holly McShort". (Gearr means "short" and MacNic (an) Ghirr is used as an equivalent of "Short" in Ulster.) Her boss is Commander Ó Meacan or "O'Root" and it's soon explained that his ruddy face has earned him the nickname "Meacan Biatais" or "Beetroot" in the office. His counterpart in the Traffic Branch is Corporal Ní Dhuillín or "O'Docket" and his head of IT is centaur named "Mac Sherraigh" or "Foalson".

Some of the others are more obscure. Two fairy operatives share the surname Ó Dúlamáin, and this second element is glossed in my dictionary as "channelled wrack". They report to Lieutenant Mac Gustúin or "McGudgeon". Further poking around reveals that the first is a kind of seaweed and the second is a sort of socket used particularly to attach things to the transoms of boats. Can't wait to see how that's going to come into play.

Comments

[danbearnyc.livejournal.com]

Aptonym or Charactonym.

[donncha22.livejournal.com]

"channelled wrack" sounds like a dire prognostication from Ramtha. Gearr "-led" de agus beidh tú ceart go leor. Ar chuala tú riamh an t-amhrán "Dúlamán" ?

[richardthinks.livejournal.com]

Sounds fascinating, and a series it will be vital to keep out of my son's hands for a few years yet: he already sees himself as a budding master criminal (or would, given just a little prodding). Short, Root and Foaly all appear to be present in the English, and I see a Cudgeon, which may be the disappointing resolution for your socketman (funny, nobody talks of gudgeon-mounted machine guns, although it might be technically more accurate). Your seaweeders are Kelp in the English, I'm guessing in reference to the Kelpie. Whether than doesn't play as easily in Ireland/Irish I couldn't judge.