S J Lee
Inkling
me, I reckon that "species" is a no no, that vocab doesn't belong in any "medieval" fantasy - it would work better in sci fi.
you could use "The elvish people" or just "the elves"
I cannot remember Tolkien ever using the word "race"? Robert E Howard used it a LOT - Lair of the White Worm, eg, the tall blond invaders were are "more advanced race" than the "picts" and yes it looks a bit cringy today, a pity cos it is not a bad story and REH could write. Mind you, he did not say "SUPERIOR race..."?
Tolkien just said "Elves, dwarves and men" and it was just fine.
He introduces "the Noldor" and just refers to those elves as "the Noldor" - he never says "The Noldor tribe" and he sure as hell never says "the Noldor race" - or have I missed it?
... "And the Noldor had grown to a great people" before leaving Aman after Feanor swore his oath....
When the hobbits meet Treebeard, they ask:
"An Ent?"said Merry. "What's that?..."
and he says: "What are you, I wonder? I cannot place you. You do not seem to come in the old lists I learned when I was young..."
Merry does NOT ask "lists of WHAT? Lists of races?" --> it worked for Prof T, it would work for you?
There is NO need to use the word "race" at all. You could use the word "kind" or "kindred" but there is no need to even go there....?
I reckon the poll is too "blunt an instrument" - the use of "race" COULD be "racist" depending on the tone of the whole book. Or, it could work just fine. Depends on more than just one word quoted here out of context, I think, so I don't feel I can vote.
you could use "The elvish people" or just "the elves"
I cannot remember Tolkien ever using the word "race"? Robert E Howard used it a LOT - Lair of the White Worm, eg, the tall blond invaders were are "more advanced race" than the "picts" and yes it looks a bit cringy today, a pity cos it is not a bad story and REH could write. Mind you, he did not say "SUPERIOR race..."?
Tolkien just said "Elves, dwarves and men" and it was just fine.
He introduces "the Noldor" and just refers to those elves as "the Noldor" - he never says "The Noldor tribe" and he sure as hell never says "the Noldor race" - or have I missed it?
... "And the Noldor had grown to a great people" before leaving Aman after Feanor swore his oath....
When the hobbits meet Treebeard, they ask:
"An Ent?"said Merry. "What's that?..."
and he says: "What are you, I wonder? I cannot place you. You do not seem to come in the old lists I learned when I was young..."
Merry does NOT ask "lists of WHAT? Lists of races?" --> it worked for Prof T, it would work for you?
There is NO need to use the word "race" at all. You could use the word "kind" or "kindred" but there is no need to even go there....?
I reckon the poll is too "blunt an instrument" - the use of "race" COULD be "racist" depending on the tone of the whole book. Or, it could work just fine. Depends on more than just one word quoted here out of context, I think, so I don't feel I can vote.