a modification of
http://www.geocities.com/allianceforprogress/encyclopedia/galpolitics/patronym.html
This is needed for a planned writeup on the Heebi.
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Rules of Patronymics
a- used in patronymics to indicate (any sub-set of) a race in formal address.
ta - used in patronymics to indicate (any sub-set of) a race in informal
address. In formal address "a" is used.
ab- used in patronymics to indicate Patrons. Listed in reverse historical
order; that is, starting with the species' immediate Patron, then the
Patron's Patron, and so on. The list extends back to the most senior race
still having an O-2 existence. Used to establish identity and status.
absu- prefix for an extinct or Retired Patron survived by Patron species
senior to it.
ul- used in patronymics to indicate Clients. Listed in historical order of
development. A long list of sucessful clients is also a symbol of status.
ulsu- for an extinct or Retired Client.
Example: Fagin, a-Kanten, ab-Linten ab-Siqul ul-Nish.
wol: indicates a secondary patron line. Use of 'wol' is usually the result of
some sort of uplift fosterage. Patron lines mentioned later in the full
patronymic have lower prestige. Unlike 'ab' and 'ul' 'wol' is strongly
prestige oriented and only weakly historical. A race lists its patron lines
in the order it wants them mentioned. If patron lines tie for prestige a
race usually lists its most recent sponsor first. Some races prefer to drop
patron lines in diplomatic discourse. In these cases there is no linguistic
indicant; one must simply know the preferred protocol. Note also that in
practice all patrons tend to mention the client in their patronymics.
Examples: Heebi ab-Lesh ab-Erbl ab-Kosh ab-Rosh ab-Tothtoon
wol: ab-J'8lek ab-Khilp ab-Brawch
Bahtwin ab-Gello ab-Soro ab-Hul ab-Puber
wol: ab-Soro ab-Hul ab-Puber
The case of the Bahtwin is particularly unusual. They were effectively
fostered to their grand-patrons. The Soro do not list the Bahtwin as
clients, the Bahtwin list the Gello first and strongly discourage use their
full patronymic. This is because fosterage is considered an embarrassment.
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