老外从语言分解两派含义

LittleIroN

对con的分解挺有趣

来自：http://koilungfish.x10hosting.com/fics/text/tf_cling.html

PATTERNS IN TRANSLATED NAMES

Of the three latter categories, we find 47 examples: 34 names for sentient beings [ 29 individuals including 2 deities, and 5 gestalts], 16 names for places, 2 factions, and 3 planets. Given that some of these places are also sentient beings, there is some overlap.

In these names there is an observable trend Autobot names tend towards Latin roots, or Latin forms of Greek roots, whereas Decepticon names tend towards Greek roots. It is also notable that faction and place names lean more towards Greek roots; this seems most probably a representation of the modern Autobot and modern Decepticon languages having their origins in an older Cybertronian ur-language, which has diverged to form two separate but similar languages.

Because of this, where applicable, more "Decepticon" and "Autobot" forms are included; these can be alternative spellings, variant forms of names or translations of names from one language to another. Note that this can be as simple as providing a Decepticon name such as Cyclonus with a less Latin spelling, the presentation of an alternative form of the name, or the conversation of an Autobot name such as Inferno to its Decepticon equivalent; Holocaust.

It is also notable that the main exception to this rule is the Decepticon gestalts, who tend to have names with Latin roots. It seems probable that this is indicative of the gestalts having names in Autobot or near-Autobot dialects in order to sound more terrifying to their opponents. Likewise, see OMEGA SUPREME.



... (snip) ...



AUTOBOT: Name of faction, derived from AUTO + -BOT

    AUTO has two meanings: it is an informal word, abbreviated from automobile, used to refer to a motor car; it is also a prefix, derived from the Greek autos meaning 'self.'

    -BOT is derived from the word 'robot', which is derived from the Czech robota meaning 'forced labour.'

Thus the faction AUTOBOT can be translated as "car robot" but also "self-forced labourers" - more fluidly, "willing slave." The former is the meaning most probably meant and used by the Autobots; the latter is probably the Quintesson term from which the former originated. As there are two possible translations to AUTOBOT, there are also two possible Decepticon equivalents: for "car robots" KUKLEPTRONS - "wheeled ones"; for "willing slave," AUTOHELOT or ONHELOS. Note that the latter term could quite easily apply to any slave-race, so a more specific term could be AUTOHELOTRONS - "Cybertronian willing slaves".



... (snip) ...



DECEPTICON: Name of faction, of complex origin.

Of all the words translated from Cybertronian, DECEPTICON has the most complex origin. DECEPTICON has three possible etymologies:

    DECEPTION + CON

    DECEPTION refers to the action of deceiving someone, or a thing that deceives. It is of late Middle English origin, from the late Latin deceptio[n] from decipere 'deceive.'

    CON as a verb refers to the act of persuading someone to do or believe something through lies, as in 'confidence trickster' or 'con job'; in this instance, it is derived from 'confidence.' It also refers to a disadvantage, as in 'pros and cons'; in this instance it is derived from the Latin contra 'against.' It is also an abbreviation of 'convict.' It also refers to act of directing the steering of a ship, or the action or post of doing so; in this instance, it is derived from the Old French conduire from Latin conducere 'to lead or bring together.'

Thus, DECEPTICON here can be translated as "deceivers, con-men, lying convicts." This makes sense as an Autobot term used to refer to the Decepticons as a people.

    DECEPT + ICON

    DECEPT here comes from the same root as DECEPTION above.

    ICON means the image or ideal of a thing.

Thus, DECEPTICON here can be translated as "the images of the deceivers" - literally, "lying faces." This makes sense as an Autobot term referring to both the faction and the face-like symbol that represents it - the "deceiving icon."

    DE + CEIVE + CON

    DE as a prefix can mean "completely" as in 'denude' or 'derelict.'

    CEIVE as found in DECEPTION [and conception, contraception, etc] is formed from the Latin com 'together' + capere 'to take.'

    CON - as above.

Thus, DECEPTICON here can be translated as "complete group of thieves and con-men" - or more colloquially "pack of liars." This makes sense as a pejorative Autobot term.

However, as noted earlier, the Autobot language translated is a Latinised one, and all these etymologies so far have had Latin roots; indeed, Decepticon seems to be a Latinised word. It seems that a more correct or Decepticonly spelling would be DESEPTIKON, which has a rather different etymology.

    DE + SEPT + EIKON

    DE - as above.

    SEPT means a clan or sect, from SECTA "following." Alternatively, however, SECT can form from secare "to cut." Thus, DESEPTIKON could also be rendered DESECTIKON or even DISSECTIKON - literally, "the complete image of the cutters."

    EIKON - as ICON above. EIKON is the original Greek form of the Latinised ICON.

Thus, DESEPTIKON can be translated as "completely ideal followers." This makes sense as what the Decepticons would refer to themselves as.

It is also worth mentioning here the suffix -CON, as found in the group names CONSTRUCTICON, COMBATICON, TERRORCON, etc. It is possible that the suffix here is formed from IKON and the group names mean, for example, "the image of the constructors," "the image of terror," etc. However, it is also worth mentioning that -CON is also derived from the Latin contra, one of the meanings of which is "to steer or guide a ship," as in the sense of 'conduce." Given that CYBER is also from a root form referring to steering or guidance [see CYBERTRON], it seems possible that -CON is here present as the suffix form of CYBER. This would mean it is an alternative suffix to the -ON chain suffixes and not related to them. Ergo, -CON would have the meaning "technological being" and be an alternative suffix to -BOT [see AUTOBOT], which, given the suffix's origins, the Decepticons would certainly prefer.

Thus, DECEPTICON or DESEPTIKON could also be translated as "the ultimate group of Cybertronians" - which certainly is an etymology that would please them.

zhangcloud

觉得最后一句话很有道理：只要开心就好哈！

圣帝麦加登

老外比较强的说！