What's in a Name?
                         Velan Naming Conventions

                                   By
                              Brian Antoine


	The Velan name structure, or at least those parts of it that I have 
worked out, consists of the following sections:

#1	The base name given to the individual at birth.
#2	The suffix aquired once the individual selects a primary occupation.
#3	A connector denoting sex and attachment to a given family.
#4	The family identifier.

Example:	Kal [indra] [nal] [Kan]

Kal	= the base name given at birth
indra	= the occupation suffix
nal	= the sex/status connector
Kan	= the family name

	The base name is completely arbitrary, though the tendency is toward 
short names.  The occupation suffix is technically aquired once the individual 
is accepted as an apprentice, but is usually either dropped, or truncated to 
denote 'in training', when spoken by others.  Once the apprenticeship is over 
though, it becomes an insult to mis-pronounce the name.  The implication 
being that the speaker does not consider the person to be trained, or even an 
adult.

Example:	Kal [in] or Kal [in] [dal] [Dion]

	The connectors come in two flavors.  Those used to show strong ties 
to the birth family, and those used in connection with a family joined as an 
adult.  Because Velan names have few if any sexual preferences, the connector 
is also used to denote the sex of the person being talked about.  This becomes 
more important when talking about someone not present at the moment.

dal/nal	= female
de/ne	= male
del/nel = hermaphrodite
di/ni	= unknown (when talking about someone you only know by name)
das/nas	= the family as a whole

	The first form is used to associate with the birth family, the later with 
the adult family bond.

	When talking about children, it is acceptable to use the base name and 
family name directly.

Example:	Kal [dal] [Dion]

Note: Because Velar is now becoming a more active member in the interstellar 
culture, it had until now been ignoring.  There are bound to be times when
their names get mangled by accident.  Humans especially seem to truncate
their names to make them easier to pronounce, or in an attempt to create a 
'nickname'.  The Velans as a rule will not find this funny, but, they are also 
learning to be less sensitive about it.  Usually, they will gently remind the 
speaker what their name really is, unless the situation was extremely formal.  
Then, they will usually ask someone nearby (ignoring the person who mangled 
their name) what kind of sauce the offending party might go good with when 
basted over an open fire.