To assimilate a word
So, I got in the mood to transliterate or translate 'Tor Aerie' into Old Norse, and I realized that the translation part would be difficult because, while I remember vaguely what 'Tor Aerie' means, I don't remember if the specifics I do remember are accurate. Nor do I remember what language it's supposed to be, so I can look up and confirm. And, of course, the people who I could ask about it aren't online [update: it means "High Tower" - I was kinda right in my recollection], and it's a bit late to call. *sigh*
And this reminds me of my woe in general about group names in the SCA: no one bothers to put up the semantics of the group name in an easy to find location! I mean, how do I know whether the name's in French, German, Welsh, Hungarian, Finnish, Basque, or some psudo-language thing? And how can I guess what it means? It's frustrating not only because I selfishly want the info for my own geeky needs, but because it's actually interesting and can give you information about the group, like what the founders thought was a cool name, what language they were interested in, and maybe the name's linked with the identity or culture of the group or has a cool story behind it.
Okay, end rant.
Now, back onto my main point, which is transliterating/translating into Norse. I have a slight hiccup with the former option, as I still don't know the original language, so I can't look up how Tor Aerie is supposed to be pronounced, only how the group pronounces it. So, I have two strong possibilities of what "Aerie" might look like in Norse: Eiri or Æri. The former matches how the group pronounces it and the latter matches the spelling a bit more and possibly how it's supposed to be said.
So, put it together and we get Toreiri or Toræri. And because I like being thorough, I looked up if those elements might actually mean something intelligible in Norse (leading to a possible folk-etymology of Tor Aerie...)
tor- (an adverbial prefix in compounds, opposite to auð-) 'difficult, hard'
eir (m.) 'brass'
eir (f.) 'peace, clemency' (occurs several times in old poetry but never in prose)
eira 'to spare'
eira (f.) 'rest' = eirð
eirinn (adj.) 'forebearing'
ær (f.) 'an ewe'
æra 'to row, pull'
æra 'to give a good crop'
æra (f.) 'an honor' (a borrowed word -- first appears in the late 13th c.)
æra 'to madden'
œri (comparitive) 'the younger'
æri-liga (adv.) 'furiously, madly'
æri-ligr (adj.) 'mad'
ærr (adj.) 'mad, furious'
Thus,
Toreir 'difficult brass'
Toreir 'difficult peace'
Torær 'difficult ewe'
Toræra 'a difficult honor'
Torærr 'hard to become mad'
I kinda like that last one. Toræri (place) ~ Toræringar (people) -- the place name being a bit less transparent for a folk etymology, but the people, the Tor Aerieans, have a double meaning of 1. being from Toræri and 2. of being hard to rouse to fury. Or, y'know, Tor Aerieans are a bunch of stubborn sheep. ;-)
And just for a hoot, I looked up things like Eyri:
eyrir (m.) 'an ounce of silver or its amount in money'
eyri-lauss (adj.) 'penniless'
eyrr (f.) (mod. eyri) 'a gravelly bank' (of a river or or small tongues of land running into the sea)
Thus,
Toreyrir 'difficult money'
Toreyrr 'a difficult, gravelly bank'
The latter sparks my interest because the heraldry for the group is a single tower by a river (influenced by the terrain around campus) -- river banks. It's been awhile since I looked at the river, and I can't quite recall if the banks are "gravelly" or not -- some of it has been molded by man, I know, and that doesn't help in me finding a good picture.
As for the translation element:
turn m. 'a tower' (from the Latin turris, first appears in the 12th or 13th c.)
hár (adj.) 'high', 'tall'; (metaph.) 'high, sublime, glorious', 'at the highest pitch', 'loud'; prefix in names: Há-kon, Há-leygr, Há-rekr, Há-mundr, etc.; and in local names Háfa-fell, etc.; also in many a compound
Háturn or Háfaturn might work -- it would definitely be a post-Viking Age name, though.
And this reminds me of my woe in general about group names in the SCA: no one bothers to put up the semantics of the group name in an easy to find location! I mean, how do I know whether the name's in French, German, Welsh, Hungarian, Finnish, Basque, or some psudo-language thing? And how can I guess what it means? It's frustrating not only because I selfishly want the info for my own geeky needs, but because it's actually interesting and can give you information about the group, like what the founders thought was a cool name, what language they were interested in, and maybe the name's linked with the identity or culture of the group or has a cool story behind it.
Okay, end rant.
Now, back onto my main point, which is transliterating/translating into Norse. I have a slight hiccup with the former option, as I still don't know the original language, so I can't look up how Tor Aerie is supposed to be pronounced, only how the group pronounces it. So, I have two strong possibilities of what "Aerie" might look like in Norse: Eiri or Æri. The former matches how the group pronounces it and the latter matches the spelling a bit more and possibly how it's supposed to be said.
So, put it together and we get Toreiri or Toræri. And because I like being thorough, I looked up if those elements might actually mean something intelligible in Norse (leading to a possible folk-etymology of Tor Aerie...)
tor- (an adverbial prefix in compounds, opposite to auð-) 'difficult, hard'
eir (m.) 'brass'
eir (f.) 'peace, clemency' (occurs several times in old poetry but never in prose)
eira 'to spare'
eira (f.) 'rest' = eirð
eirinn (adj.) 'forebearing'
ær (f.) 'an ewe'
æra 'to row, pull'
æra 'to give a good crop'
æra (f.) 'an honor' (a borrowed word -- first appears in the late 13th c.)
æra 'to madden'
œri (comparitive) 'the younger'
æri-liga (adv.) 'furiously, madly'
æri-ligr (adj.) 'mad'
ærr (adj.) 'mad, furious'
Thus,
Toreir 'difficult brass'
Toreir 'difficult peace'
Torær 'difficult ewe'
Toræra 'a difficult honor'
Torærr 'hard to become mad'
I kinda like that last one. Toræri (place) ~ Toræringar (people) -- the place name being a bit less transparent for a folk etymology, but the people, the Tor Aerieans, have a double meaning of 1. being from Toræri and 2. of being hard to rouse to fury. Or, y'know, Tor Aerieans are a bunch of stubborn sheep. ;-)
And just for a hoot, I looked up things like Eyri:
eyrir (m.) 'an ounce of silver or its amount in money'
eyri-lauss (adj.) 'penniless'
eyrr (f.) (mod. eyri) 'a gravelly bank' (of a river or or small tongues of land running into the sea)
Thus,
Toreyrir 'difficult money'
Toreyrr 'a difficult, gravelly bank'
The latter sparks my interest because the heraldry for the group is a single tower by a river (influenced by the terrain around campus) -- river banks. It's been awhile since I looked at the river, and I can't quite recall if the banks are "gravelly" or not -- some of it has been molded by man, I know, and that doesn't help in me finding a good picture.
As for the translation element:
turn m. 'a tower' (from the Latin turris, first appears in the 12th or 13th c.)
hár (adj.) 'high', 'tall'; (metaph.) 'high, sublime, glorious', 'at the highest pitch', 'loud'; prefix in names: Há-kon, Há-leygr, Há-rekr, Há-mundr, etc.; and in local names Háfa-fell, etc.; also in many a compound
Háturn or Háfaturn might work -- it would definitely be a post-Viking Age name, though.
As a true geek, I wondered how to translate Event and Feast Steward into Norse
höll (f.) a hall -- but only of a king´s or earl´s hall (or god´s hall, ie. Valhöll (Eng. Valhalla))
skáli (m.) a hut, shed; a hall
eldhús (n.) fire-house, where the cooking fire is kept
drykkju-skáli (m.) drinking hall
gest-gjafi (m.) a host
gestr (m.) a guest
hús-bóndi (m.) a house master, master
hús-dróttinn (m.) the master of the house
hús-fóðir (m.) house-father, master
hús-gumi (m.) the master of a house
hús-herra (m.) lord of the house
hús-kona (f.) housewife, lady of the house
hús-móðir (f.) house-mother, housewife, mistress
mat-sjóði (m.) a cook
mat-sveinn (m.) a meat-boy, cook (esp. on a ship)
mat-móðir (f.) meat-mother, a mistress with respect to her servants and household (similar to English bread-giver)
( Where I talk about the aboveCollapse )
skáli (m.) a hut, shed; a hall
eldhús (n.) fire-house, where the cooking fire is kept
drykkju-skáli (m.) drinking hall
gest-gjafi (m.) a host
gestr (m.) a guest
hús-bóndi (m.) a house master, master
hús-dróttinn (m.) the master of the house
hús-fóðir (m.) house-father, master
hús-gumi (m.) the master of a house
hús-herra (m.) lord of the house
hús-kona (f.) housewife, lady of the house
hús-móðir (f.) house-mother, housewife, mistress
mat-sjóði (m.) a cook
mat-sveinn (m.) a meat-boy, cook (esp. on a ship)
mat-móðir (f.) meat-mother, a mistress with respect to her servants and household (similar to English bread-giver)
( Where I talk about the aboveCollapse )
On Northshield
I was in the last couple months corrected about the etymology of Northshield by two people. (Now if only I would have found this out earlier...)
The origin of the -shield part of Northshield is the geologic feature of North America called the Canadian or Precambrian Shield. As it was a feature that tied in all of the area that would become Northshield (and then some), it was suggested and was not hated most of all the suggestions. So that's how we got our name. It was found out later that there was a precedence in England for the -shields as a contraction for 'shieling' as a place name. In England there is a place named South Shields. This is a contraction of South Shielings. If the plural is attested, obviously you can get a singular; hence North-shield. However, this is not the true etymology of the name, but a cool side-note.
So, from the true etymology, since the English 'shield' from the Precambrian Shield is a translation of the cognate of German Schild 'shield' and I doubt the Norse would have a term for this, the proper translation for Northshield in Norse should be Norðskjöldr 'north-shield' (skjöldr being the cognate for both 'shield' and 'schild') and not, as originally posited, Norðsætr 'north-shieling'.
There is also a tradition in Northshield to go to Beowulf. In there the Danes are called Scyldinga(s) (sorry, not sure how the plurals work in Anglo-Saxon and there are several forms of this word in my transliteration of the poem), after the mythical founding father Scyld Scelding. He's also mentioned in Snorri's Edda as the son of Odin, Skjöldr (what do you know, the word for 'shield') and the Danes are thus called the Skjöldungar. Anyways, there is a bardic tradtion to take Scyldinga(s) and applied to to Northshielders (hm, I wonder why). This only adds to the reasons to translate Northshield into Norse as Norðskjöldr.
So, that's my correction and my new translation. Norðskjöldr for Northshield and Skjöldungar for Northshielders.
Oh, and just because it's semi-related, the Swedes in Beowulf are likewise named after their mythic founder Ing and the royal dynasty in Sweden is called the Ynglingas (ON Ynglingar). Ellis-Davidson in her book God and Myths of Northern Europe makes some interesting connections between Ing and Freyr, and Scyld and Ull. Her book has some neat ideas -- I wouldn't say all her arguments are all founded, but it's definitely an interesting read.
The origin of the -shield part of Northshield is the geologic feature of North America called the Canadian or Precambrian Shield. As it was a feature that tied in all of the area that would become Northshield (and then some), it was suggested and was not hated most of all the suggestions. So that's how we got our name. It was found out later that there was a precedence in England for the -shields as a contraction for 'shieling' as a place name. In England there is a place named South Shields. This is a contraction of South Shielings. If the plural is attested, obviously you can get a singular; hence North-shield. However, this is not the true etymology of the name, but a cool side-note.
So, from the true etymology, since the English 'shield' from the Precambrian Shield is a translation of the cognate of German Schild 'shield' and I doubt the Norse would have a term for this, the proper translation for Northshield in Norse should be Norðskjöldr 'north-shield' (skjöldr being the cognate for both 'shield' and 'schild') and not, as originally posited, Norðsætr 'north-shieling'.
There is also a tradition in Northshield to go to Beowulf. In there the Danes are called Scyldinga(s) (sorry, not sure how the plurals work in Anglo-Saxon and there are several forms of this word in my transliteration of the poem), after the mythical founding father Scyld Scelding. He's also mentioned in Snorri's Edda as the son of Odin, Skjöldr (what do you know, the word for 'shield') and the Danes are thus called the Skjöldungar. Anyways, there is a bardic tradtion to take Scyldinga(s) and applied to to Northshielders (hm, I wonder why). This only adds to the reasons to translate Northshield into Norse as Norðskjöldr.
So, that's my correction and my new translation. Norðskjöldr for Northshield and Skjöldungar for Northshielders.
Oh, and just because it's semi-related, the Swedes in Beowulf are likewise named after their mythic founder Ing and the royal dynasty in Sweden is called the Ynglingas (ON Ynglingar). Ellis-Davidson in her book God and Myths of Northern Europe makes some interesting connections between Ing and Freyr, and Scyld and Ull. Her book has some neat ideas -- I wouldn't say all her arguments are all founded, but it's definitely an interesting read.
Otsukimi!!
It's almost here, the Japanese event. Gah, how is it mid-October already?
Anyways, for those of you who have not heard about it, Tor Aerie (my college SCA group) is throwing a Medieval Japanese Moon Festival this Saturday. It's in town so if you have nothing better to do, please consider coming. (Just bring yourself and an *attempt* at pre-1600s clothing (nope, doesn't need to be Japanese) -- if you need garb, talk to me) It's cheap, it should be fun, and there's plenty of good food (non-dairy, vegetarian-friendly...anybody like rice?).
Ok, [/plug].
Dancing is tonight. Bardic will hopefully happen next week (anyone want to come and help the circle?). Need to remember to send a reminder email. If no other bardic-type people show up I might just have to teach some poetry forms (I remember the Welsh poetry, some Edda forms, and the structure of sonnets) and print off some of the songs I know.
In other news, pa says I look like a mother-earthian REI hobbit today. :D Is it weird I take that as a complement?
Anyways, for those of you who have not heard about it, Tor Aerie (my college SCA group) is throwing a Medieval Japanese Moon Festival this Saturday. It's in town so if you have nothing better to do, please consider coming. (Just bring yourself and an *attempt* at pre-1600s clothing (nope, doesn't need to be Japanese) -- if you need garb, talk to me) It's cheap, it should be fun, and there's plenty of good food (non-dairy, vegetarian-friendly...anybody like rice?).
Ok, [/plug].
Dancing is tonight. Bardic will hopefully happen next week (anyone want to come and help the circle?). Need to remember to send a reminder email. If no other bardic-type people show up I might just have to teach some poetry forms (I remember the Welsh poetry, some Edda forms, and the structure of sonnets) and print off some of the songs I know.
In other news, pa says I look like a mother-earthian REI hobbit today. :D Is it weird I take that as a complement?
-
cheerful
Eeep!
iarroganti posted this on his journal.A new book: Dress at the Court of Henry VIII. Yes, someone's published a full analysis of the garb of Henry and his court, including cut, material, and colors they used.
Key areas for consideration include the King's personal wardrobe, how Henry VIII's queens used their clothes to define their status, the textiles provided for the pattern of royal coronations, marriages and funerals and the role of the great wardrobe, wardrobe of the robes and laundry. In addition there is information on the cut and construction of garments, materials and colours, dress given as gifts, the function of livery and the hierarchy of dress within the royal household, and the network of craftsmen working for the court. The text is accompanied by full transcripts of James Worsley's wardrobe books of 1516 and 1521 which provide a brief glimpse of the King's clothes.
*squee* I'm a geek.
Now, if only I win the lottery....
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awake
Oh, Norsefolk. How you give me links:
Viking Age Laureling ceremonies:
http://www.cs.vassar.edu/~capriest…
http://www.stringpage.com/laurel/l…
http://www.cs.vassar.edu/~capriest…
http://www.stringpage.com/laurel/l…
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I have fabric!!
It just gets hotter and hotter on the WW Weather Channel:
See? Normal lows...I can learn to read!!
The current forecast for Cadott is...
Thurs: high of 80, low of 59. Partly cloudy.
Fri: high of 83, low of 59. Clear.
Sat: high 86, low of 66. Partly cloudy.
Sun: high of 88, low of 67. 30% chance of percipitation.
The current forecast for Cadott is...
Thurs: high of 80, low of 59. Partly cloudy.
Fri: high of 83, low of 59. Clear.
Sat: high 86, low of 66. Partly cloudy.
Sun: high of 88, low of 67. 30% chance of percipitation.
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bouncy
Welcome to the WWWC: Warriors and Warlords Weather Channel
The current prediction for Cadott is...
Thursday: high of 79. Partly cloudy.
Friday: high of 82. Partly cloudy.
Saturday: high of 84. Partly cloudy.
Sunday: high of 87. 30% chance of percipitation in the afternoon, chance of thunder storms.
[Edits out my stupidity]
Thursday: high of 79. Partly cloudy.
Friday: high of 82. Partly cloudy.
Saturday: high of 84. Partly cloudy.
Sunday: high of 87. 30% chance of percipitation in the afternoon, chance of thunder storms.
[Edits out my stupidity]
Knowne World Cartography
There's an interesting...
...translation discussion on the Northshield College of Bards Mailing List, if anyone who doesn't already read is interested. A lot of it starts under Bardic Madness was awesome!
And does anyone know of someone who could be a pinch hitter as a teacher for Tor Aerie tonight? Even if it's just games or something? Our teacher is sick and won't be making it and I didn't get online in enough time to know to grab my naalbinding stuff to be a pinch hitter myself. :(
And does anyone know of someone who could be a pinch hitter as a teacher for Tor Aerie tonight? Even if it's just games or something? Our teacher is sick and won't be making it and I didn't get online in enough time to know to grab my naalbinding stuff to be a pinch hitter myself. :(