Adzel says that he is from Earth (II, p. 92), which conjures up images of an alternative evolution and history on a parallel Earth. However, he explains that "Zatlakh" means "earth" in his language and that human beings called it "Woden" before running out of Terrestrial names for newly discovered planets. More recently, they use whatever name is given by the language of the most advanced planetary culture as on Ikrananka, where they are having the conversation. Chee Lan's home planet, named Cynthia by its human discoverers, is O2 Eridani A II and are we told its Cynthian name elsewhere in the Technic History?
Later: I have found the Cynthian name for Cynthia but maybe others would like to look for it?
1 comment:
Kaor, Paul!
And in Anderson/Dickson's Hoka stories, the most advanced of the Hoka cultures called their planet "Toka," also meaning "Earth" in their language.
I think it would make the most sense for human explorers to name planet which has intelligent life from whatever the most advanced culture calls it. With human names being limited to colonies or planets with no intelligent races.
Ad astra! Sean
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