questions that keep me awake at night (#1)
If I'm writing a story set in Wales about a Welsh girl who has a touch of magic, who's power is defined by her birthplace epitomised by her name, how Welsh do you go with said name for modern readers not familiar with Welsh pronunciation? Especially given I'm only quarter Welsh and my pronunciation is dodgy as hell?
For example, I like Eilwyn (pronounce the w as "oo" and the y as "u" and you should be as close as I can get to proper pronunciation). Unfortunately, Eilwyn reminds me too much of Arwen (and I think it might have elf connotations in its meaning too)
I also like Haf which means summer. But it's pronounced Haav not Haf so maybe not.
Meinwen is quite cool, it means slender and white. And I just discovered the Myfanwy is a girls name meaning beloved so whoever decided to name the Pterodactyl has a slightly strange sense of humour (which immediately tells me it was Russell)
I like Efa too (pronounced "Eva" but it's too 'new' for my tastes. And I seem to have a thing for names beginning with E, Elwyn ("El-oo-un") is winning but it's 50/50 as to whether it's a male or female name (meaning pale brow) and I'm not sure if any of my friends will know (I've been honorary Welsh for only two and a half years), it also has echoes of Arwen in it too.
I don't want something typically Welsh like Gwen or Catrin or Carys because they carry too many shadows of actors/pop stars and I want a clean slate, but then I'm running the risk that people won't be able to pronounce it, which is bad, obviously. Putting a pronunciation guide at the end is all well and good (and is planned) but I hate it when I have to a) sound out pronunciations and b) keep referring to the back of the book to remind myself how to say something.
Or maybe I'm just overthinking in an attempt to get out of plotting?
WOLF ATE: Sheeps poo, why oh why oh why?
WEATHER: I think I actually got sunburnt today on a lovely mountain walk complete with sheep (and their poo)
CURRENT OBSESSION: Getting a new job
CURRENT MOOD: Slightly scared
For example, I like Eilwyn (pronounce the w as "oo" and the y as "u" and you should be as close as I can get to proper pronunciation). Unfortunately, Eilwyn reminds me too much of Arwen (and I think it might have elf connotations in its meaning too)
I also like Haf which means summer. But it's pronounced Haav not Haf so maybe not.
Meinwen is quite cool, it means slender and white. And I just discovered the Myfanwy is a girls name meaning beloved so whoever decided to name the Pterodactyl has a slightly strange sense of humour (which immediately tells me it was Russell)
I like Efa too (pronounced "Eva" but it's too 'new' for my tastes. And I seem to have a thing for names beginning with E, Elwyn ("El-oo-un") is winning but it's 50/50 as to whether it's a male or female name (meaning pale brow) and I'm not sure if any of my friends will know (I've been honorary Welsh for only two and a half years), it also has echoes of Arwen in it too.
I don't want something typically Welsh like Gwen or Catrin or Carys because they carry too many shadows of actors/pop stars and I want a clean slate, but then I'm running the risk that people won't be able to pronounce it, which is bad, obviously. Putting a pronunciation guide at the end is all well and good (and is planned) but I hate it when I have to a) sound out pronunciations and b) keep referring to the back of the book to remind myself how to say something.
Or maybe I'm just overthinking in an attempt to get out of plotting?
WOLF ATE: Sheeps poo, why oh why oh why?
WEATHER: I think I actually got sunburnt today on a lovely mountain walk complete with sheep (and their poo)
CURRENT OBSESSION: Getting a new job
CURRENT MOOD: Slightly scared