Nomenclature help

[ritaxis]

Okay, so there's a nation and a nationality and a language in this fictional fantasy which I've called Alman. They're on the other side of the war.

Does the sound of this name evoke a real-world nation and nationality and language?  Does it cause you to expect certain historical events, or influences, or national character?  Would you think that these Almans are supposed to correspond to something in the real world, even if I said very strongly that they didn't?

Should I change the name to something else ?

It would be a massive search and replace project, but I'm suddenly worried that I might be seen to be saying something I don't mean to say.

My son says it's not an issue, but he doesn't speak French.

Comments

[kate-schaefer.livejournal.com]

Yes, Alman sounds an awful lot like Allemagne to me, and that definitely has huge repercussions, especially if you said it didn't.

[ritaxis.livejournal.com]

I was afraid of that. So now I have to figure out what to change it to, and then change it. It will take getting used to the new name.

I was especially afraid that the disclaimer that nothing is based on real countries and history wouldn't wash, since I;ve taken great care to, actually, base the everyday details on real things.

Thank you.

[boxofdelights]

It does sound like alemán to me, but I would believe the author that it wasn't meant to.

[davidgoldfarb.livejournal.com]

I would be reminded of "Allemand" and expect them to be German-like. I'd believe you that you didn't mean it to be, but that wouldn't help.

[ritaxis.livejournal.com]

Thanks. I just did the search and replace. Now they have a less evocative name.

[green-knight.livejournal.com]

Thanks. (I am too late with my objections - but this would have been a problem, particularly if you have the not!polish connotations around.

[hrj.livejournal.com]

Belatedly, I agree with the folks who found it evocative of the various "Allemagne"-variant names for Germany.

[ritaxis.livejournal.com]

I don't think I would have asked if it wasn't making me queasy.

[heleninwales.livejournal.com]

If they were obviously non-European and the setting and plot bore no resemblance to events in Europe in the 20th century, then "Alman" would be fine. But as I think this novel has very strong echoes of the World Wars and the Alman are the Other Side, it's almost identical to "Yr Almaen", which is "Germany" in Welsh. More importantly -- because I doubt you will get many Welsh speakers reading it! -- I think enough Brits will retain enough French from school (or from the Eurovision Song Contest) to recognise it from Allmagne.