[MR] Re: Use of the word 'Troll'

[Jeanette Gugler]

Having put my two cents in earlier, I wish to acknowledge that because the
SCA is no longer as fun _for me_ as I remember from years ago when I began,
in seeking to bring that sense of fun back, I sometimes hold too hard on
things from back when it _was_ fun.

On the other hand, at events I have usually used the term Gate to define the
place one signs in, pays any outstanding entrance fees, locates the cabin or
camping site, etc.  [i.e. where we move from  the modern world to the
medieval] What do I call the person behind the table? usually Mistress Nia
or Master Nicholai, or my friend ...  [I agree with the objections to the
term porter for the lifting and carrying connotation.]

Now, if at an event I heard someone ask "Where's the Troll?" or "Where's the
Gate?", I would think that something is wrong.  The Gate needs to be
obvious, easily seen, and close to where we disembark from that conveyance
from the modern ages.  Too often I've found it tucked in a back hall or in a
tent that was difficult to distinguish from the other tents - except for the
Nia or the Nicholai sitting behind the table ;-).

I reiterate and recast my call for more whimsy and fun.  I challenge you -
especially those of you who are discomforted by the non-medieval things
around you - to make the Gate look more like a GATE!  Make the entrance and
change from modern to medieval more obvious, and yes, more fun.

And if you have to put the "Gate" in a less obvious location for logistic
reasons, make signs or perhaps recruit a greeter (warden?) to stand at that
spot where people enter to direct them to "the Gate".  Maybe this person
could be a porter and help schlep.

On the other hand, in a modern situation like the Merry Rose or a business
meeting, I may freely use the term "Troll" as I am speaking outside of
event.  Though your continued usage of Gate (or Entrance or ...) will help
Troll to eventually fade away.

The large number of people weighing in is not so much a sign of total
resistance to change, but of the fact that each and every one of us IS
affected by this.  Much fewer of us are involved in any other facet, even of
fighting - I, for one, determined not to weigh in on that authenticity
discussion as I am more interested in peaceful pursuits [a primary reason I
have not looked hard at the living history groups; all I've been aware of
are war related].

Now that we've solved this one, what can we do about that drummer's circle?

Yours, in Service,
Theodora von Schmetterlingswald [who really has outlived her medieval
counterpart]

-----Original Message-----
From: atlantia-bounces at atlantia.sca.org
[mailto:atlantia-bounces at atlantia.sca.org]On Behalf Of Tatsushu .
Sent: Monday, November 10, 2003 6:34 AM
To: atlantia at Atlantia.org
Subject: Re: [MR] Re: Use of the word 'Troll'


Okay, a lot of people have put their two cents in, and the person asking
seems to have already come to a decision as to what the 'poll's answer was,
but I feel this debate has significance beyond the one person for people
throughout the kingdom.

FWIW, I am for using more period terms.  As others have pointed out, there
are more period terms for most things (autocrat, feastocrat, halflings,
troll, dragon, farspeaker, etc.) that we have pet names for.  However, I am
not going to advocate a 'language police' to go out and change these.
Rather, I will encourage the use of what feels like more proper word usage
in those areas where I can.  I still slip up--I've been in the SCA long
enough to have certain words enter my lexicon--but I am trying, myself, to
use words that are more appropriate to our period.

I don't know why such a small question has seemed to turn an entire kingdom
on its ear, though.  This has really gathered a lot of comments, which says
to me that it isn't as unimportant an issue as many people seem to think.
Obviously there are enough people out there considering such things.

For my own part, I will try to teach what I see as 'real' words.  I like
words like gatekeeper, head steward, host, child, car (or carriage), etc.
and will try to introduce those to new people I meet.  I would like to reach
a point where someone asks "Where is the troll?" and I respond "The
gatekeeper is over in that direction."--not meaning to correct, but simply
to illustrate that proponents of the various words can still interact with
one another, even if one simply has to translate internally.

My personal belief is that being more accurate does not equal less fun.  I
don't know where that equation seems to come from.  As if there are a bunch
of people out there with sticks waiting to beat people who use the 'wrong'
terms.  Rather, the people I know who advocate these terms would rather
encourage their use and show people that if becoming more accurate in our
own play CAN be fun--extremely so.  Whatever time and place you can be from.

So, go ahead and use whatever you want.  However, I applaud those who offer
alternatives.  It is through having choices that we are each empowered to
best play the game we wish.


-Ii

_________________________________________________________________
>From Beethoven to the Rolling Stones, your favorite music is always playing
on MSN Radio Plus. No ads, no talk. Trial month FREE!
http://join.msn.com/?page=offers/premiumradio

========================================================================
                   The Merry Rose Tavern at Cheapside
    List Info: http://merryrose.atlantia.sca.org/
  Submissions: Atlantia at atlantia.sca.org
Subscriptions: http://seahorse.atlantia.sca.org/mailman/listinfo/atlantia