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Ask for help > vocabulary help needed
vocabulary help needed
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mish.cz
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vocabulary help needed
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Hello, dear colleagues,�
I �d like to ask if you know an English word for one fantasy creature, which I hope also exists in English fairy tales. It is a human like (or humanoid  ) creature, living near or in water areas, usually wearing a green tuxedo and a hat with a red ribbon 
I found the word "kelpie/kelpy". Is that correct? Or is there any other better option? Thanks in advance, Mish |
18 Aug 2010
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Lina Ladybird
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Dear Mish,
I think that "kelpy" isn�t the correct word for this creature. Here �s a useful link:
According to the information provided on that website, a "kelpy" looks more like a horse than like a human being.
I�ll try to find the right word though. ;))
Hugs - Silke
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18 Aug 2010
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sulekra
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I �ve tried to translate "Vodnik" from Czech before, but it �s very
difficult - it seems like almost every country has their own unique
version, and the Czech and Slovak folk creature doesn �t really have a
direct translation. Kelpie is British I think, but it �s not human, it �s a
horse that can transform into a woman. They �re both types of
mythological water sprites, so I just ended up describing it as a male
water sprite...
I �d be interested in hearing what other members suggest, I �m sure there
will be a large variety of these water creatures. While in the Czech
Republic I �ve heard of the Hastrmann, which I assume is German, Kappa
from Japan through a video game I played, and the Scandinavian Nix...
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18 Aug 2010
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anitarobi
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leprechaun? though they �re forest creatures more, I think... |
18 Aug 2010
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Lina Ladybird
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These sites might be of some help to you:
BTW, what an interesting topic!! WOW!
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18 Aug 2010
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moravc
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according to the link given by LADYBIRD you may call it Vodnik or Vodianoi as well...
All cultures have SPECIAL creatures and special names... you may call it a water goblin, which means a small water creature (unfriendly male creature)...
Vodianoi
These were water spirits in Slavic mythology that
supposedly lived in underwater palaces made from sunken ships. They were
depicted old men with long green beards, covered in hairs, scales and
slime. It was said the Vodianoi were offended by the boldness of
humans, and would therefore cause swimmers to drown. They took the
drowned down to their underwater dwellings to serve as slaves, with the
exception of millers and fishermen, whom they might befriend. Vodianoi
were often married to Rusalka
and like Rusalka, they may have been the spirits of unclean dead. Some
thought they were able to transform into fish.
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18 Aug 2010
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mish.cz
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@ Anita, You are correct that leprechaun is a forest creature, unfortunately not usable:-) BTW, check your PM
@ Silke, thank you very much for explaining, I had no time to search "kelpy" more, yet, but it fully corresponds with what Sulekra wrote. BTW. How do you call this creature in German? I studied German for several years but �didn �t come across this word (surprisingly:-). Is Sulekra right explaining the Czech word Hastrman as of a German origin as it surely sounds? @ Sulekra: It is so sweet to find somebody knowing these words in my mother tongue:-) I found all the translations you mentioned but I had no idea that the fantasy world is so plentiful. In the end I condsidered water sprite the best as well but it seemed to vague to me... Anyway, thank you all, my dear colleagues � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �  � |
18 Aug 2010
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moravc
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Hello,
a water spirit seems vague term to me... It can be both male and female...
A water goblin resembles an ugly male spirit with bad character... Seems more appropriate to me...
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18 Aug 2010
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junya
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Maybe you can use the word "nix" |
18 Aug 2010
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Lina Ladybird
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What �s a "nix", dear junya?? In German we call a mermaid a "Nixe"... However, if you mean a mermaid, it �s certainly female and not male. ;)) |
18 Aug 2010
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