Is it better to keep original names or create unique ones?
I've read several fantasy books. Some authors keep the original names of mythological creatures (minotaurs, phoenix, unicorns, etc) while others describe said creatures TO THE LETTER but give them a unique name for their setting.
I know some authors change the names for etymological reasons (for instance "minotaur" comes from the word "minos") and if their setting is a completely different realm, universe, etc, I can understand not having the roots to ancient Earth words.
Which do you (as a reader) think is better? For authors to keep original names of mythological creatures, or to create new names altogether to describe old things?
☭Pαtcɦ Cipriαηo☭2010-08-09T08:56:26Z
Favorite Answer
depends The hunger games is set in the future so they have weird names Another story is set in the past, having olden day names Depends where and what era you set your story in. Could be on another planet with really weird names
If it's modern day on earth, I prefer not too common names but not extremely stupid like this one author called her character Butterfly and another Echo. It is just too stupid.
Personally, I prefer the different names, because it links specifically to only the universe I am reading about. I think that the names we use have too many assumptions built into them, and if you use your own name, you can control exactly what the perception of your creature is. If you say "minotaur" for example, you assume all sorts of things about where it lives, and how it got there, but if you describe a species of upright-walking bull-type creatures, then you can have them live anywhere, even outside of a labyrinth, like the Tauren in WoW. My own fantasy story has species similar to elves and dwarves and so on, but I've avoided giving them these names on purpose, so I can define them precisely how I want to. Of course, each species has its own set of languages, and all sorts of interesting etymologies can ensue, like their derogatory name for humans...
There are some categories of romance novels, so it relies upon on the form you like. There are the bawdier varieties of romance novels that have a outstanding style of specific scenes like Nora Roberts and Danielle Steele, there are the Romantic Comedy types like Janet Evanovich and John green. The extra sensual and 'touching' books come from novelists like Nicholas Sparks. between the main classic romance novels of all time is the Flame and the Flower through Kathleen E. Woodiwiss. i do no longer understand too lots approximately horror novels, yet there are some solid suspense/secret ones through JD Robb and James Patterson.
I think it's best to keep the original names. It causes less confusion.
Edit: However, if the author has created a language, then it's a different story. You wouldn't want to converge two different languages together; that would have the reader's head spinning.