El-Hazard Online
General => El-Hazard Online => Topic started by: man_of_men on December 25, 2004, 10:43:49 am
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Let's talk about El-Hazard names. Kauru means incense. It's somewhat different from Kaori, which means fragrance.
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Incense? O_o I suppose that has deeper Japanese cultural meanings than I'm grasping. I mean... well, assuming they meant the root of the word to actually describe the character.
Actually, aren't a lot of the names based on Japanese but not "really" Japanese?
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I think Miz is water, and Nanami has something to do with beauty or something, I'm not good at Japanese nor do I speak a lot. But is that what they mean, anyone? ???
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"Mizu" is water, yes. That's about the only one I know. *chuckles*
Most people probably already know this one, but oh well-- "Ifurit" (ee-fur-eet) is literally how the Japanese would pronounce "efreet" (or "ifrit"), which are spirits from Arabic mythology. There's no special term for a female genie, but "Efreeta" (which becomes "Ifurita") seems like a logical extension.
I've seen some Japanese sites actually just call her "Efreeta," which is more technically correct, I guess; but it's just weird. *chuckles*
For even more trivia, the "genie of the lamp" in the story of Aladdin wasn't an efreet or a djinn-- it was a marid. (The genie of the ring was a djinn.) So just think about that next time you watch the last OAV of El-Hazard-- if the Japanese writers had done more research, Makoto might've been yelling "Marida!" And that's just not the same. ;D
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Dal Narciss, is, maybe we all know is based on Narcissus who was a handsome Greek youth who rejected the desperate advances of the nymph Echo. As a punishment, he was doomed to fall in love with his own reflection in a pool of water. Unable to consummate his love, Narcissus pined away and changed into the flower that bears his name.
And Venus, is based on the Roman goddess of love. And Diva is the Latin and Italian word for "goddess", the feminine form of the Latin word divus. source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diva
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I think Miz is water, and Nanami has something to do with beauty or something, I'm not good at Japanese nor do I speak a lot. But is that what they mean, anyone?
Yes, the leading kanji (http://www.solon.org/cgi-bin/j-e/euc/dokanji?index=t&ivalue=487e) in Nanami's name means "beauty." If memory serves, it's also the leading kanji in Natsumi's name (from You're Under Arrest!).
Also, "Makoto" means "truth", as noted by Saucer and myself in an earlier topic (http://www.el-hazardonline.net/cgi-bin/ehol/YaBB.pl?board=ehol;action=display;num=1061450563;start=39).
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Yeah, all the kids from Japan have Japanese names surely, but aren't names like Shayla-Shayla spelled out phonetically, suggesting that they're "not really" Japanese even if based on Japanese names? I'm just curious.
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on Dec 27th, 2004, 8:59am ftp://Troubled Robert wrote:
Yeah, all the kids from Japan have Japanese names surely, but aren't names like Shayla-Shayla spelled out phonetically, suggesting that they're "not really" Japanese even if based on Japanese names? I'm just curious.
Not very sure, but most Asians have a thing about names that repeats. Like Ruri-Ruri, or something like that. :-/
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Yeah, all the kids from Japan have Japanese names surely, but aren't names like Shayla-Shayla spelled out phonetically, suggesting that they're "not really" Japanese even if based on Japanese names? I'm just curious.
I don't know the meaning of Shera-Shera, but Afura is sometimes used here in Portugal (as Afra) for a girl's name. It's from the Hebrew word Aphurah that means "dust".
Most people probably already know this one, but oh well-- "Ifurit" (ee-fur-eet) is literally how the Japanese would pronounce "efreet" (or "ifrit"), which are spirits from Arabic mythology. There's no special term for a female genie, but "Efreeta" (which becomes "Ifurita") seems like a logical extension.
I've seen some Japanese sites actually just call her "Efreeta," which is more technically correct, I guess; but it's just weird. *chuckles*
Also, I seen this one out (in some encyclopedia on my town's public library some years ago). And I do agree that the correct pronouciation for Ifurita would be Efreeta (or Ifrita) because the japanese do have a tendency to almost omit the "u"s on the words. Same happens with Afura: When you hear them speaking, it almost sounds Afra.
And Diva is the Latin and Italian word for "goddess", the feminine form of the Latin word divus.
In the portuguese language the word diva exists. It is a name to illustrate a person (only women) that is either beautiful or that has a very important and historical place in a certain area. (e.g. Maria Callas is a diva as far as opera is concerned) However, this word isn't very common... (I'll see the best meaning on a dictionary and I'll post it here).
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I found something related to Shera-Shera (or Shayla-Shayla), but I'm not sure if this is meaningful data or not.... ^^;
http://www.babynameworld.com/s.asp
http://banglapedia.search.com.bd/HT/S_0321.HTM
This site is closed, but Google has a comment on it saying: "He left home at an early age and took service under Bahar Khan Lohani, Sultan of Bihar, who gave him the title of Sher Khan (meaning Tiger Lord) for his ... "
So, the word Sher would mean tiger in some arabic language. This meaning fits on her, in terms of temper, don't you think? ;)
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The only problem with that is that "Sher" (typically spelled as "Shere" or "Sheer," due to pronunciation) is Hindi, not Arabic; and isn't pronounced the same way. It's cool, though; and anything that connects one of my favorite El-Hazard characters (Shayla) to one of my only favorite Disney characters (Shere Khan) is an automatic plus. ;D
According to this site (http://www.indianchild.com/hindu_baby_names_girls.htm), "Shaila" is a Hindu name meaning "living in mountains," which is actually pretty funny. The closest Arabic name is probably "Salah" (or "Sahlah"), which means something like "smooth" or "soft." (...heh.)
Oh, yeah. Another contender: Ephraim's daughter was named Shera, which is Aramaic (and is a generic name that refers to a female relative).
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... Disney characters (Shere Khan) ...
Exactly what I thought of. :P
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Yeah, all the kids from Japan have Japanese names surely, but aren't names like Shayla-Shayla spelled out phonetically, suggesting that they're "not really" Japanese even if based on Japanese names? I'm just curious.
Exactly. Writers will always make it immediately obvious who in a story is not Japanese (aside from the typical token half-Japanese gaijin) by giving them a Western name. Often times it's a word that's not commonly used as a name or even a vaugely western-sounding made up name.
I don't know the meaning of Shera-Shera, but Afura is sometimes used here in Portugal (as Afra) for a girl's name. It's from the Hebrew word Aphurah that means "dust".
That's very interesting actually! Probably because of the influence from Portuguese missionaries visiting Japan in the 16th Century, some Portuguese words find common usage in modern Japanese. Like "pan" (bread). I've also heard that supposedly "arigato" is Portuguese in origin.
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That's very interesting actually! Probably because of the influence from Portuguese missionaries visiting Japan in the 16th Century, some Portuguese words find common usage in modern Japanese. Like "pan" (bread). I've also heard that supposedly "arigato" is Portuguese in origin.
Pan (bread) comes from the portuguese word pão (also bread). As far as arigato is concerned, I don't think it has a portuguese relation (as far as I can see ^^; ) because "Thank you" in portuguese is Obrigado....
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The only problem with that is that "Sher" (typically spelled as "Shere" or "Sheer," due to pronunciation) is Hindi, not Arabic; and isn't pronounced the same way.
I see... I made the relation, because here in Portugal we spell Sher Khan the same way japanese spell Shera-Shera... Maybe we don't do it correctly.... ^^;
"Shaila" is a Hindu name meaning "living in mountains," which is actually pretty funny. The closest Arabic name is probably "Salah" (or "Sahlah"), which means something like "smooth" or "soft." (...heh.)
Oh, yeah. Another contender: Ephraim's daughter was named Shera, which is Aramaic (and is a generic name that refers to a female relative).
So, in summary, Shera-Shera could be mountain tiger or tiger relative or mountain relative... :) Ok... Maybe I went too far with this.... ^^;
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Shayla is an Irish name. the conotation of why it is repeted twice is beyond me but her name in the irish language refers to Shelia which is from the old Celtic, Sile, of which is derived from the Latin Vulgate Cecilia...which means "blind". I also heard from a friend of mine that the derivitive of Shayla in some circles of Irish legend means to have a great passion for something...a firey heart... ;D
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Pan (bread) comes from the portuguese word pão (also bread). As far as arigato is concerned, I don't think it has a portuguese relation (as far as I can see ^^; ) because "Thank you" in portuguese is Obrigado....
Drop the b, harden the d and ya got Origa(t)o. :D Sounds close.
Could have been the way the japanese prnounced it over time, after hearing it for a while. Unless arigato isnt portugese in nature to begin with ^.^;
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So, in summary, Shera-Shera could be mountain tiger or tiger relative or mountain relative... :) Ok... Maybe I went too far with this.... ^^;
Brings to mind a certain red-headed tiger-girl from the mountains of China who appears in the Fairy Gods digital novel series. ^^;
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Brings to mind a certain red-headed tiger-girl from the mountains of China who appears in the Fairy Gods digital novel series. ^^;
Almost a year later.... ^^;
Fairy Gods digital novel series? Never heard of it... What is it?
You're not talking about the game called "Le Roman de la Rene à Gertruds", which is from the same author of the El-Hazard series, are you?
Here's and image of the artbook (I only have the artbook and not the game itself... :bawl )
(http://clientes.netvisao.pt/albcusto/P1130899.JPG)
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Fairy Gods digital novel series? Never heard of it... What is it?
By Milky House. Elf girls and battle mah jong! (Warning, links are not work-friendly)
Legend of Fairies (http://www.peachprincess.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=PP&Product_Code=MILKY3)
Fairy Nights (http://www.peachprincess.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=PP&Product_Code=MILKY4)
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I'm really really sorry to write in such an old post, but I have just discovered El Hazard last month so...
I am currently studying classic japanese and I cannot let someone tells that "aligato" comes from portuguese. It was already attested during the Heian period (8th to 10th century) where no Portuguese never put a foot on any japanese island. I can if you want explain you precisely where it comes from. Oh and "pan" comes from the french word "pain". Hum absolutely out of question.
And I was really surprised too to see the name of the Demon god spelled "Ifurita", whereas it should be "Ifrita" or "Efreeta" if you want. Japanese isn't a language where you can put 2 consonants without a vowel between them (except for the n). So when Japaneses impots foreign words that do so (in this case, the word "ifrit"), they use the vowel "u", which is deaf. In this way, the vowel isn't prononced and you can have artificially 2 consonnants put together.
A lot of Japan girls have a "mi" (beauty) or a "ko" (princess) in their names, but yes, maybe it was made for. And I would hardly not believe that "Makoto" (truth) is simply for the sound, it is not a so common name.
Again sorry sorry really sorry for writing in such an old post. ^^; I had discovered El Hazard during that month and felt in love, and your site is really great, thank you.
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I'm really really sorry to write in such an old post, but I have just discovered El Hazard last month so...
No problem and I'm glad you acknowledge the fact that this is indeed an old post. Welcome to the forums! ^_^V
I am currently studying classic Japanese and I cannot let someone tells that "aligato" comes from Portuguese. It was already attested during the Heian period (8th to 10th century) where no Portuguese never put a foot on any Japanese island.
Arigato originating from Portuguese is an urban legend.
Oh and "pan" comes from the French word "pain". Hum absolutely out of question.
I really thought it came from pão... Oh well
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_words_of_Portuguese_origin I knew I saw it somewhere... ;D
And I was really surprised too to see the name of the Demon god spelled "Ifurita", whereas it should be "Ifrita" or "Efreeta" if you want. Japanese isn't a language where you can put 2 consonants without a vowel between them (except for the n). So when Japaneses imports foreign words that do so (in this case, the word "ifrit"), they use the vowel "u", which is deaf. In this way, the vowel isn't pronounced and you can have artificially 2 consonants put together.
Yep, see my post above. The same thing happens with Afura (Afra), which is a name used here in Portugal, at least.
A lot of Japan girls have a "mi" (beauty) or a "ko" (princess) in their names, but yes, maybe it was made for. And I would hardly not believe that "Makoto" (truth) is simply for the sound, it is not a so common name.
Well.... the character is pure hearted, so "truth" does fit him. :) However, I usually see it as a girl's name.... but in Japan there are many names that are "unisex".
Again sorry sorry really sorry for writing in such an old post. ^^; I had discovered El Hazard during that month and felt in love, and your site is really great, thank you.
A bump is always welcomed when you have something important to say (which I believe is the case)! ;)
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Thank you ! :) I love Japanese language too and I've spent so many years studying it... Oh and Jinnai means jin = amenagement of an army, nai = inside, which I found funny.
I arrive so late :-/ but... last but not least lol
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Thank you ! :) I love Japanese language too and I've spent so many years studying it...
I also like it a lot, specially because both the portuguese and japanese culture have some things in common *points at the wikipedia article in my previous post*
Oh and Jinnai means jin = amenagement of an army, nai = inside, which I found funny.
Don't you mean quarters or barracks?
It sure is funny: Jinnai: barracks inside ;D
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Much more like quarters, but sure Jinnai barracks inside ;D