I'm curious

[serai]

Why do so many hobbit fic writers insist on using the Scottish word bairn, when Tolkien himself said that hobbit babies and children are called fauntlings or faunts? I can see digging up a word if he had never addressed the issue. (Though I'd try to find an English word, or at least one derived from the same sources, rather than something Scots. From what I understand, Tolkien didn't like Scots or Gaelic, just like he didn't like French, and took great care not even to use words that English had appropriated from them.) But in this case, he actually had a word, told us what it was, and people still don't use it.

Can someone explain this? Because it makes no sense to me at all.

Comments

[trilliah.livejournal.com]

Ah, amelioration, pejoration...my History of the English Language class comes to use at last.

My main issue with Lucas (apart from the fact that he crams too many special effects into not enough plot) is his utter inability to write real romance. Han and Leia are great until they ADMIT to liking one another--then they get ridiculous. ("Who are you?" "Someone who love you." *squirm*)

In case you're wondering why I'm suddenly commenting on this thread: I missed it before, and your latest post made me curious enough to check it out. I'm not sure why you think you've offended folks--most I can see is interesting discussion--but I would say if you're not wanting debate, don't pose linguistic questions. Fandom's weird about those. ;)

I need a covering-up-my-ears-and-screaming icon for subjects like this...

[serai1.livejournal.com]

Romance? The guy can't even write passable dialogue. ("You are like sand"...ARRRGHGHGHKILLKILLKILL) It's incredibly telling that in Empire (for my money, the best of the SW films) the only really good line, one that is both funny and just an on-the-mark summing up of a whole character, which is Han's response to Leia's "I love you" - "I know" - is a friggin' improvisation on Harrison Ford's part! He objected to Han saying "I love you too", since DUH! Han would never, ever say that. And that line sums up everything that's wrong with Lucas's writing: clumsy, amateurish, one-dimensional, uninsightful, etc., etc., etc. The guy just sucks. Props once again to Mr. Ford for uttering the immortal actor's lament, "George, you can write this shit, but you can't say it."

As to the other...I got responses other than here. *sigh*

Re: I need a covering-up-my-ears-and-screaming icon for subjects like this...

[trilliah.livejournal.com]

*dies* That's awesome!!! Oy, Han saying "I love you too?" OMFG thank you LORD for sparing us THAT nonsense. And yes: Empire Strikes Back has ALWAYS been my favorite. New Hope just doesn't GO anywhere, and Jedi's Luke is a bit too obnoxious for me. I don't even think the newer ones bear mentioning.

Eep. I'm sorry to hear that. :(