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Author: Meldarion
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7 Comments
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So, what's in a name?
..
Apparently everything. In the world of Middle Earth, and actually much of Arda itself, names meant something. This holds particularly true for those of Elvish and Numenorian descent. Many of the names used in Middle Earth were deeply rooted in old Elvish and most often translated into something befitting for the person who bore it. Names such as Legolas (green leaf), Elendil (elf friend or star lover), or Mithrandir (gray pilgrim) all had westron translations.
Most of that is true today. Many of the names we use have been handed down over the ages and, within their root languages, each had meaning. For example, my real name, David, is old Hebrew for "beloved". Not that I can claim any lineage to the ancient Hebrew people, but still, the name has endured over the span of at least the past four millenia, and most importantly, it has meaning.
The reason I dare to even write about something that heretofore may have seemed so mundane, is to point out that even the smallest of details about a person can have very deep roots. They may never even realize it.
Okay, this subject may be a little boring for some, so before I evoke a collective yawn from the majority of the readers here, let me get to my point. It's all about Role-Playing.
I don't know about the average gamer, all I can say is that I myself love to role-play, and I love many of the aspects that go with it. I'm not talking about those who are prone to trying to use old english in their tells nor about those who whimper over the slightest detail that may be out of place. I'm talking about the sublime. Something that is there, although barely perceptible to those who are not looking for it.
The whole idea I'm talking about here is the ability to blend in to the environment and become part of the game. To not stand out like a sore thumb and thereby draw attention away from an otherwise excellent gaming experience. You may say "Wait... this doesn't have anything to do with names!"
Or does it?
Most definitely. Picture this: You're in a particular zone or area where everything is perfect, prime role-playing fare. Everything is as it's meant to be and you are one with the environment. A sort of gaming zen, if you will. Then you see it. That most blasphemous of sights: a character named "1 pwn 411 nubz".
Gack!!
If you're anything like me, it's enough to be a distraction. Not that it's going to ruin the ENTIRE gaming experience, but it's simply an annoyance. I think J.R.R. would never have imagined someone in HIS world with such a name. It's so Lore contradictary that it's really hard to laugh at, even though it may seem funny.
Now, some readers may think that I'm going a little overboard here, and maybe in a sense I am. After all, it is only a game, and nothing to take so seriously. This may be true, but in my mind this is not just A game... it is THE game, and, provided Turbine keeps up it's end to give us a fair interpretation of Tolkien's Middle Earth, it will be the last game I play for a long long time.
Okay, so ends my rant. However, I am not one to just leave things as is. I propose a solution to this dilemma, because it's obvious that anyone with a character name such as "1 pwn 411 nubz" is at their wit's end in trying to put together a meaningful name and, out of sheer frustration, chose some off the wall crazy thing that they wrongfully call a name.
....Really, I'm trying to turn my rant mode off, but for some reason it's not responding.....
Anyhow, there's a nice site that I came across a couple of months ago that may offer a solution. It is a Tolkien fan site, built with obvious care and devotion, and within its pages can be found a translation of many of today's common names into Elvish. If you have any inclination to save the sanity of myself or that of any of the many devoted Tolkien fans out there, please feel free to visit (arwen-undomiel.com)and see if you can't pick something better than the typical l33t 5p34k that has become an eyesore to the horde of RP'ers that are sure to populate a game such as this one.
/rant
ahhhh... there... rant is off.... now we can all live in peace.
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