wombat1138: (Default)
wombat1138 ([personal profile] wombat1138) wrote2006-11-15 08:34 pm
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Abh clan names

Finally got the first volume of TokyoPop's English translation of the original Seikai novels (aka Crest/Banner of the Stars). My first flip-through was pretty rocky, what with all the conlang vocab sprinkled throughout, but I think I'm starting to get a better handle on things by cross-referencing with the manga; the anime could probably use some repeat viewing too, since it's been a while since I watched the OVAs.

One particular problem is that the three different media don't share a consistent system of transliterating the conlang. Most of the hardcore fans seem to prefer a relatively literal system, but the licensed media prefer phonetic spellings. I'm making a foolhardy attempt at drawing up a concordance on paper, but it's not going to be a happy process.

However, an unexpected point of interest is that according to a Korean fansite, the nomenclature of the Abh noble clans is drawn from the same 28-constellation cosmology that Fushigi Yuugi is based on, except for the Imperial family of the Ablïarsec (given the phonetic spelling "Abriel" in all three media translations); their name is based on the sun goddess Amaterasu.

The fansite has a list of the other clans' names, original specializations on the ancestral mother-ship, and distinctive features, which I will shamelessly ransack here (the latter via Babelfish/Google autotranslation). It's based on the fan transliterations; I've added the official phonetic spellings when available. However, since I'm a bit doubtful about some of the translations they give for the constellation names, I've been cross-checking those against other sources and subbing in different info when it seems necessary.

Ablïarsec (Abriel): responsible for space navigation on the original mother ship, whose name had also been Ablïarsec; they have pointy ears. Within the Imperial clan, there are eight royal branches: Scirh (Skirl), ïrich(Iriish), Üescoc (Wesko), Barcéc (Barke), Lasisec (Lasis), Balgzédéc (Balgzede), Chülgzédéc (Shulgzede), and Crybh (Kryv); I don't know where the branch names come from.

(Eastern constellations, in the quadrant of the blue-green serpent Seiryuu)

Ruc: communication and electronics maintenance. Their name is from a nanori reading of the kanji for the constellation "su" (horn); they have unusual noses.

Aimh: general spaceship maintenance; from a nanori reading of a star name within the constellation "ami" (neck). Silver hair.

Lomh: powergrid maintenance; golden eyes. They produce calm, cold military personnel and scientists but lack financial sense. Another nanori reading? from "tomo" (chest).

Loepoess: medical staff and healthcare, except for obstetrics; slender fingers. From "soiboshi" (stomach-star).

Dachoc: energy supervision? Long, narrow lips. From "nakago" (center/buttocks).

Aislairec: metal refining; ebullient to the point of rashness. From "ashitare" (tail).

Biboth (Bebaus): surveying and astrogation; soft, curly hair and a reputation for Spectacular Insanity. From "miboshi" (tail-star).

(Northern constellations, in the quadrant of the black serpent/tortoise-hybrid Genbu)

Cilych: machinery design/manufacture. From "hikitsu" (balance).

Idaimh: genetic manipulation; later, terraforming. Icy eyes. From "inami" (cow).

Nych: medical recovery/nurture? Sharp cuspid. From "uruki" (woman).

Lobitec: a large clan, originally in charge of "miscellaneous tasks"; dark green hair. From "tomite" (void).

Fimegaimec: ventilation and hydroponics. Dark spot in the center of the forehead. From "umiyame" (snake).

Calyc: navigation records; no distinctive physical trait, but generally calm and fair. From "hatsui" (shelter).

Dabaimec: recycling and sanitation; slightly reddish Frosh (the space/time-sensing organ in the center of the Abh forehead). From "namame" (wall).

(Western constellations, in the quadrant of the white tiger Byakko)

Losaich: civil engineering? Green/brown eyes. From "tokaki"?

Tlaimh: mineral surveying and supply logistics? Unusually small Adam's apple. From "tatara".

Sosïéc: mineral recycling? Lustrous hair. From "ekie"?

Spaurh (Spoor): navigation and technical control? Red eyes. From "subaru"

Aimenyrh: medicine/chemistry; hair that turns paler toward the ends? From "amefuri"

Snoech: munitions and ordinance; speckled iris? From "toroki"?

Sarrych: life-support systems? From "kagasuki"

(Southern constellations, in the quadrant of the red phoenix Suzaku)

Tlich: fuel production/supply; short tempers? "chichiri" (well)

Lamcoemec: hydroponics and protein vats; cheerful and optimistic. "tamahome" (ogre)

Duneucec: life-support intrastructure? musical talent? "nuriko" (willow)

Cotponic: nuclear weapons? generally produces scientists and engineers rather than artists. "hotohori" (star)

Lineucec: nuclear engineering/propulsion? Logical and practical. "chiriko" (net)

Larych: weapons/ordinance? "tasuki" (wings)

Beussaicec: supply/logistics management. "mitsukake" (chariot)

[identity profile] qadgop.livejournal.com 2006-11-16 05:39 am (UTC)(link)
Hmm. Kinda doubt I'll pick it up, then; I'd frankly be more interested in Other Tales Of The Abh Universe! than I am in retreading the series I've already seen. I seem to recall the anime being spotty about which Abh speech it did or didn't bother to translate, which led to a certain amount of "What the heck is wrong with my machine? Is the DVD defective?" consternation here in the Qadgop household. But while I'm not especially interested in pursuing the linguistics further, I'd be quite up for, say, heavier exposition on Abh history, how the science works in manageable terms, and much more about who the other powers are (other than scheming Allied powers who don't realize the Greater East Asian Co-Prosperity Sphere is good for them, of course).

Why not just "sword", ceremonial or not?