(no subject)

[liliaeth]

I was wondering if any of you guys knew ancient Greek. Sure I could try and use little_details but honestly, they ask you to try and search stuff on google first and aside of google translate, I have no idea where to even begin looking. (and google translate only works for current Greek.)

Anyway, I'm having my bad guys use a trap similar to a devil's trap or holy fire, only instead of working on supernatural creatures, it works on the human soul, forcing into the backseat of their minds, making them pretty much passengers in their own bodies.

I've been going with Paidi Pagida, but I'm pretty sure that going with the literal translation of child and trap would have anyone who actually knows Greek mocking me for how stupid it sounds.

So anyone have a better idea of what I could use for a name? I prefer something that has as few words as possible, with one of which usable as the shortened version of the name?

Anything that translates to either 'trap for children' or 'soul trap' would be perfect.

Comments

[speakr2customrs.livejournal.com]

knows Ancient Greek. She's not on your Friends list but I would think she'd be willing to help out if you ask her.

[speakr2customrs.livejournal.com]

That should say quinara - I don't know what happened in my first comment. The Comments layout has gone all weird! I hope it will work this time.

[liliaeth]

thank you so much, I'll give her a try.

I just figure that even if only a few people would actually know it's meaning, I'd just rather have something that sounds cool instead of stupid. :-)

[bertee.livejournal.com]

I know ancient Greek. \o/

Are you using the greek alphabet or just transliterating to English? Because while transliteration is fine, it sometimes gives weird connotations. For example, soul is psyche in the greek-to-english translation so IDK if you'd want to use that for this. Likewise, trap is 'page' (although you could also use 'pagis', I guess) which could give the wrong idea.

I'm a bit rusty but I think these might be okay? *hands*
'trap for a child' = thratron paidi
'trap for a soul' = thratron psychei
(thratron can be replaced with pagis)

I would go with smushing them into some kind of joined verb though. These aren't actual Greek words but they're formed using the same kind of rules as Greek used.
paidotheras - child-catcher/trapper
psychotheras - soul-catcher/trapper

[liliaeth]

those sound awesome, thank you so much :-)

Just figured that if my pagan goddess came up with the name for the thing, she'd name it in Ancient Greek (even aside of the fact that it sounds cooler*g*)

Trying to think which of the two sounds scarier, since they're using the traps for training purposes, as well as to trap humans in order to eat them.

[bertee.livejournal.com]

Whatever works best for you!

I'm having second thoughts about the theras ending since that implies hunting rather than the more passive idea of a trap. Maybe try paidopagis or paidothratron (or psychopagis or psychothratron) instead? idk, whatever sounds best, really.

[edellin.livejournal.com]

I studied ancient Greek at High school... I could try to help but I haven't done anything with Ancient Greek for a year.. but given that modern Greek is my first language, I get most of the things I read in ancient Greek... except if it's really ancient Greek... like Homer's... then I don't think I can help you..

[edellin.livejournal.com]

As for the question... I'd say paidopagida is ok... although it is a bit more modern way to say it...

Otherwise bertee's suggestion are also very good. (although if you don't know ancient Greek well... they may sound weird to people. I think pagis-pagida exists in a more old type of ancient Greek so that would be good as well...)

But whatever is better for you.

[liliaeth]

Thanks :-)
I ended up going with quinara's suggestion of paidopagis, sometimes it's just so hard to come up with a name for freaky ancient sigils :-)