Messages: 16
Language: English
*Drako* (User's profile) January 11, 2009, 6:24:36 AM
I thought, 'virkaprulo'.
Simply, 'fauno', perhaps?
How else might the idea of a faun be conveyed?
RiotNrrd (User's profile) January 11, 2009, 6:37:34 AM
*Drako*:I am wondering what the Esperanto word for 'faun' is, or could be?The CEED lists "faŭno" as the word for faun...
... and now so does the Lernu! vortaro.
*Drako* (User's profile) January 11, 2009, 7:05:29 AM
http://www.dicts.info/2/english-esperanto.php?word...
RiotNrrd (User's profile) January 11, 2009, 7:17:29 AM
"Fauna" is singular[1] in English, and the Esperanto word is as well.
-----
[1] Although a singular composed of multiplicities. But that's true of most singular nouns - my car, for example, may be built out of a lot of parts, but I still refer to it as one thing.
ceigered (User's profile) January 11, 2009, 8:03:27 AM
![lango.gif](/images/smileys/lango.gif)
(or if we get technical, 'FAVNAE' ha ha)
*Drako* (User's profile) January 11, 2009, 2:08:03 PM
I'm disappointed in the word, 'faŭno' for a mythical faun.
![malgajo.gif](/images/smileys/malgajo.gif)
'Virkaprulo', tells me what a faun is, 'faŭno', and 'besto', just imply that it's an animal, any old animal - but it's a faun!
ritarita (User's profile) January 11, 2009, 2:32:05 PM
*Drako* (User's profile) January 11, 2009, 5:31:09 PM
I gather that 'faŭno' is offical for 'faun'. I suppose it depends what you need to express. One thing that appeals to me so much about Esperanto is that it greatly enables such a multiplicity of possibilities for personal expression.
A 'faun' isn't the same as 'fauna'. A 'faun' isn't just an 'animal'. The term 'virfaŭno' would be too easily confused with 'male animal'. A faun is a lot more than that.
For me, 'virkaprulo', gives a very clear image of what is being refered to, and fauns are a symbolic embodiment of male sexuality, which is also not implied in the neutral term 'faŭno'. As there are affixes available in Esperanto to express humanity and sexuality, they might as well be made use of, especially as these are essential characteristics of what the symbolic image of a 'faun' represents.
I'm interested in other suggestions, but I like 'virkaprulo', it say's what I want it to say. It's virile, capricious, human, bestial and sexual, all at the same time.
orthohawk (User's profile) January 11, 2009, 5:54:28 PM
*Drako*:Thanks Ritarita.I think what we tend to forget, as language learners (any language, not just Esperanto!) is that our target language will not act like our native one in all situations. Faŭno as faun and fauna will be perfectly clear in context. There isn't much overlap between the two....if the passage is talking about unicorns and manticoras and chimeras, or if anyone finally gets around to translating Narnia, you can pretty much be sure that "faŭno" means "faun" and not "fauna," y'know what I mean?
I gather that 'faŭno' is offical for 'faun'. I suppose it depends what you need to express. One thing that appeals to me so much about Esperanto is that it greatly enables such a multiplicity of possibilities for personal expression.
![ridulo.gif](/images/smileys/ridulo.gif)
*Drako* (User's profile) January 11, 2009, 6:48:50 PM
I understand your point, and I had thought about the context, but still...
our target language will not act like our native one in all situations.Exactly. I get to do something with Esperanto that isn't possible with English.
What about where the context is irrelevant? What about poetry?
Mi estas faŭno = I am an animal as opposed to a plant.
Mi estas virkaprulo = I am a man-goat-person = I am a faun.
![rideto.gif](/images/smileys/rideto.gif)
If it can be understood, what's wrong with it? Vir-kapr-ul-o, easy!
Don't tell me, I'm being too analytical right? Lol!
I love the word and I'm hooked on it. I think I'll change my name by deed poll! I could have my letters addressed to 'Mr. V. Virkaprula'. Lol!