ANNE LOCKHART

[epaddon]

This topic came up at another Galactica board, and I figured it was a good one to pose over here. Some think that in Colonial Society, people must have a family name or surname of some kind even though we never hear any in the episodes. I maintain that in Colonial Society, that doesn't have to be so, because I think in ancient society we see plenty of examples where people did not have a true family name or anything like that and you would differentiate people by trade or some other characteristic (like in the Bible you might see "Simon The Zealot", "Simon The Tanner"; or in Ancient Rome we have Pliny The Elder and Pliny The Younger).

Anyone agree or disagree?

[LZaza]

I agree. I always thought that one of the unique and charming things about BSG was the lack of surnames.

[Dawg]

It added to the otherwordlyness - the "Brothers of Man" issues that they did so well.

I've got to take some time and dig in to that discussion. Some interesting issues there.

I am
Dawg

_________________
"...I aim to misbehave." Capt. Malcolm Reynolds, Serenity

I'm at: Dawg's House
LauretteSpang.com

[mikedx]

Well we never hear any kind of name to relate Adama, Apollo, or Zac. So I always thought it was just a one name deal. I think it would work with small populations. Then you start running out of names, or you have to use the distinction Sam the blacksmith or George the Miller. Which is how it turns into last names like Sam Smith and George Miller.

So I guess they hadn't hit whatever population threshold, or else they lived in isolated communities that they didn't need to add some kind of clarification for only one name.

[epaddon]

Of course that does raise the question of why anyone in Colonial Society would name their kid "Greenbean".

I think it is ultimately better and simpler from a writing standpoint to not use any last name variant idea from a particular Earth culture, even an ancient one.

[Dawg]

If someone were to take an understanding of various early cultures' naming conventions and extrapolate a possible common root (kind of like what they did to create the Colonial society in the first place), we could come up with a naming system that accomodates both the need for individual identification AND the fact we never heard a surname.

Remember, when Starbuck asked for Cassie's name and designation, the only name she gave was Casseopea. (Yes, I know I spelled it wrong. I'm tired. So sue me).



I am
Dawg

_________________
"...I aim to misbehave." Capt. Malcolm Reynolds, Serenity

I'm at: Dawg's House
LauretteSpang.com

[Senmut]

[epaddon]

Or maybe he changed his name upon converting to a Vegetarian sect?

Dawg, great point regarding that Cassiopeia gave just the one name when asked in an official context.

[Senmut]

Or, that in the pilot film, Tigh never called Zac by his rank, just the one name. Also, Vela referred to her late husband as "Martin", never "Martin..." or by a rank designation.
_________________
"The dull mind rises to Truth through that which is material." -Suger

Et verbum caro factum est, et habitavit in nobis: et vidimus gloriam ejus, gloriam quasi Unigenti a Patre, plenam gratiae et veritas.

[epaddon]

So I think we're all agreed that the universe of Galactica should properly have no last names.

(Not much of a post but until now we've been 0 for December!)

[Senmut]

Beats being two for one.
_________________
"The dull mind rises to Truth through that which is material." -Suger

Et verbum caro factum est, et habitavit in nobis: et vidimus gloriam ejus, gloriam quasi Unigenti a Patre, plenam gratiae et veritas.

[epaddon]

Whatever that means.....

[LZaza]

Sounds like a pizza special to me.

[Dawg]

Thanks a lot. Now I'm hungry.



I am
Dawg

_________________
"...I aim to misbehave." Capt. Malcolm Reynolds, Serenity

I'm at: Dawg's House
LauretteSpang.com

[LZaza]

Extra cheese???