Meta:Use of Appropriated Words in BIONICLE
Throughout BIONICLE's run, many words from other languages have been used for the names of characters and other story elements. While the most famous examples are of the Māori language (Te Reo Māori), there are also words from other languages including Rotuman and Latin.
List of Polynesian Words used by LEGO
During BIONICLE's development, The LEGO Group used several words from Māori in naming the characters and locations in the story. In May 2001, before the official North American launch of BIONICLE, The LEGO Company received a legal challenge from representatives of several Māori iwi (tribes), alleging that their use of certain words were disrespectful to Māori culture.[1] LEGO ultimately acknowledged that they had utilized words and terms from the Māori and agreed to change several of them in future usage, as well as begin developing a code of conduct that would avoid similar mistakes in the future.[2][3] This resulted in many names being changed, both from Māori and from other Polynesian languages. The lawsuit was ultimately settled outside of court.
Multiple in-universe explanations were created to explain the changes, though they have since lost most applicability. At the time of the change, The LEGO Group initially stated that the Tohunga changed their species name after realizing they were all one people.[4] However, this explanation was only relevant at the time, and has been completely dropped from continuity, along with the name itself. The characters who had to be given new names were done so under the explanation of Naming Day, wherein characters receive new names for acts of valor; while the concept of Naming Day still exists in the story, any materials set in a time period prior to the change still refer to the characters by their new names. Despite this, most Māori words continued to be used.
Character Names
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Rahi Names
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In 2001, LEGO employee Daniel Lipkowitz designed several creatures as personal projects on his website, taking Māori words to name them. In 2002, some of these creatures were given new, original names and formally published by the LEGO Club.
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Mask Names
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Location Names
The usage of several words in the landscape of the island of Mata Nui serve as early hints to the true nature of the island covering the face of the Great Spirit Robot.[11]
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Societal Names
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Words Derived from the Original Polynesian Terms
As the BIONICLE story progressed, many of the original terms and words taken from Polynesian languages in 2000 and 2001 continued to be derived to form new words.
Words derived from "Tahu" included anything with the "Ta-" prefix (eg Ta-Koro, Ta-Wahi, Ta-Matoran, Ta-Metru, Ta-Suva, Ta-Kini, etc), Tahnok/Tahnok-Kal/Tahnok Va, Turahk, and Tahkon (prototype name for Norik). The Visorak breed Vohtarak places the "Ta-" prefix in the middle of the name. The term "Kraahu" also appears to have been derived from combining the elemental prefix for shadow, "Kra-" with the second half of Tahu's name.
Words derived from "Gali" included anything with the "Ga-" prefix (eg Ga-Koro, Ga-Wahi, Ga-Matoran, Ga-Metru, Ga-Suva, Ga-Kini, etc), Gahlok/Gahlok-Kal/Gahlok Va, Guurahk, and Gaaki. The Visorak breed Boggarak places the "Ga-" prefix in the middle of the name. The term "Kralhi" also appears to have been derived from combining the elemental prefix for shadow, "Kra-" with the second half of Gali's name.
Words derived from "Onua" included anything with the "Onu-" prefix (eg Onu-Koro, Onu-Wahi, Onu-Matoran, Onu-Metru, Onu-Suva, Onu-Kini, etc), and Nuhvok/Nuhvok-Kal/Nuhvok Va, and Nuukor (prototype name for Bomonga). (The Rahkshi breed, Vorahk does not derive from Onua's name.) The Visorak breed Oohnorak modifies the "Onu-" prefix for its name. The term "Kranua" also appears to have been derived from combining the elemental prefix for shadow, "Kra-" with the second half of Onua's name.
Words derived from "Kopaka" included anything with the "Ko-" prefix (eg Ko-Koro, Ko-Wahi, Ko-Matoran, Ko-Metru, Ko-Suva, Ko-Kini, etc), and Kohrak/Kohrak-Kal/Kohrak Va, Kurahk, and Kuuls (prototype name for Kualus). The Visorak breed Suukorak places the "Ko-" prefix in the middle of the name. The term "Krahka" also appears to have been derived from combining the elemental prefix for shadow, "Kra-" with the second half of Kopaka's name.
Words derived from "Pohatu" included anything with the "Po-" prefix (eg Po-Koro, Po-Wahi, Po-Matoran, Po-Metru, Po-Suva, Po-Kini, etc), and Pahrak/Pahrak-Kal/Pahrak Va, Panrahk, and Puks (prototype name for Pouks). The Visorak breed Roporak places the "Po-" prefix in the middle of the name. The term "Kraatu" also appears to have been derived from combining the elemental prefix for shadow, "Kra-" with the second half of Pohatu's name.
Words derived from "Lewa" included anything with the "Le-" prefix (eg Le-Koro, Le-Wahi, Le-Matoran, Le-Metru, Le-Suva, Le-Kini, etc), and Lehvak/Lehvak-Kal/Lehvak Va, Lerahk, and Lahka (prototype name for Iruini). The Visorak breed Keelerak places the "Le-" prefix in the middle of the name. The term "Kraawa" also appears to have been derived from combining the elemental prefix for shadow, "Kra-" with the second half of Lewa's name.
Like the other six words introduced in the Metru Nui era featuring the "Kra-" prefix, which was later chosen as the elemental prefix of shadows by deriving it from "Kraahkan", Krakua also appears derived from combining "Kra-" with the name "Takua." Other words derived from the original BIONICLE lexicon include Aki (derived from Akamai, the kaita entity who wears the Aki), the Rua (derived from Wairuha, the kaita entity who wears the Rua), Ussalry (derived from "Ussal" and "cavalry), Ussanui (derived from "Ussal" and "Nui"), Takanuva (derived from "Takua" and "Nuva"), Takutanuva (derived from "Takanuva" and "Makuta"), Lhikan (derived from Lhii; see also "Lhikan"), Kanoka (derived from "Kanohi"), Rahaga (derived from "Rahkshi" or "Rahi" and "Turaga"), Hagah (derived from Rahaga), and Matoran (derived from "Mata Nui," representing the villagers of Mata Nui.)[12][note 15] Uniquely among clone antagonist terms introduced in the first half of BIONICLE, the six standard Vahki models do not appear to be derived from the six primary elemental prefixes.
In 2008, the elemental prefix of light, the "Av-" was derived from "Avohkii," and the prefix was also used in Avohkah.
The names Jaller, Hewkii, Macku, Pewku, Kolhii, and Mahi are derived from "Jala", "Huki", "Maku", "Puku", "Koli", and "Maha" respectively.[note 4] The Kahu and Kewa were also temporarily replaced by Gukko - a name derived from "Goko-Kahu", the original name for the "Kewa".[note 9]
List of Words used by Templar
In 2003 Templar needed names for the Matoran characters it would feature in Mata Nui Online 2: The Final Chronicle. Drawing on words from real languages around the world that represented the six elements, they compiled a list of names and submitted it to LEGO with the designs for the characters in the game. LEGO later independently drew on some of the names from the list, modified them with variations they could legally use, and applied them to the characters from the Matoran wave the following year in 2004.[13] Several Matoran from MNOG II reappeared in the Toa Metru Mini Promo CDs and in the fan story Tentacles that was accepted into canon, although because most of the Templar list of names were not approved or reworked by LEGO's legal team, they are ambiguously canon.
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Plants
Ta-Koro Names
Le-Koro Names
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Ga-Koro Names
Onu-Koro Names
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Ko-Koro Names
Po-Koro Names
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The names Nuhrii, Orkahm, Tehutti, Ahkmou, and Mamru are derived from "Nuri", "Orkan", "Tehuti", "Akmuo", and "Mamoru" respectively.[note 17] The names Vhisola and Ehrye appear to be derived from "Visola", and "Eiry" respectively.[note 18]
List of Other Words used
The following names were added post-2003 and were approved by the legal team.
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List of Words Derived from English
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Trivia
- The Māori words used within the BIONICLE universe are often pronounced vastly differently than their real-world counterparts. For example, Whenua's name is pronounced wen-NOO-ah in BIONICLE,[28][29][30] while the word it is derived from is actually pronounced fen-OO-ah. Aside from the combination of "WH" making the same sound the letter "F" makes in English, the rest of the differences in pronunciation come from the vowel and vowel combination sounds, which are similar to that of many Asian languages, such as Japanese.
- Although the name Miserix sounds like it was derived from "misery" or "miserable," Greg Farshtey has confirmed that this is not the case.[31][32]
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 This name was used in the story bible as of August 2000, but did not appear in later canon.[5]
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Some names like Nuparu and Hahli were introduced in 2002 and may not follow the same naming scheme as the early entries to the canon.
- ↑ The spelling "Hali" appears in an image in the MaskOfLight.com explorer gallery, although it is unclear if this is a lone typo or a relic from an original spelling for her name.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 Jaller, Macku, Hewkii, and the Ussal Crab Pewku were originally called "Jala", "Maku", "Huki", and "Puku", respectively, in the 2001 and 2002 storylines. Their names were changed following the Māori lawsuit and explained in-universe with the "Naming Day" holiday where the new spellings of their names were presented to them as rewards celebrating their heroism. Other terms that were renamed included "Koli" (renamed "Kohlii" corresponding to its new prominence in canon and the sport's new rules) and "Maha" (renamed "Mahi").[6]
- ↑ A being mentioned on the Polish version of the 2001 BIONICLE website.[7] Io is referred to as the "Great Creator" who gave the six heroes the name "Toa" and placed them in the world to guard it and maintain the balance of the elements. The name does not appear in any other BIONICLE media.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 One of two beings mentioned in the Mata Nui Online Game. Their names were derived from Rangi and Papa, figures in the Māori creation myth. The Papa Nihu Reef was also called "Papu Nihu Reef" in early media. Rangi's name does not appear in any other BIONICLE media. According to the August 2000 story bible, Rangi and Papa are short for Ranginui (the "sky father") and Papatuanuku (the "earth mother"). [5]
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 Although this term was introduced with the other early Polynesian terms, no polynesian origin has been identified for it yet. Here is a possible alternative origin for the term.
- ↑ Nobua is a non-canonical character from the alpha v0.006 build of BIONICLE: The Legend of Mata Nui. In an unused audio file, Nobua's dialogue seems to refer to himself as "Tamariki" instead of Nobua, suggesting that this name was used earlier in development.[8]
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Soon after its introduction, this Rahi was dropped from the official BIONICLE canon, having been completely replaced by the Gukko.[9] It has since been reapproved by Greg Farshtey not only as a canon Rahi, but also a subspecies of the regular Gukko.[10]
- ↑ In the Mata Nui Online Game II: The Final Chronicle, Maha were referred to as "Mahi", which can mean "work" in Māori. It is unclear if this was an intentional use of a Māori word or a coincidence. The English translation is potentially relevant, since Matoran sometimes use Mahi as beasts of burden.[citation needed] However, if the former is true, it marks a rare or unique instance a Māori word was introduced into the BIONICLE canon in years following the lawsuit.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 The Hura-Mafa River connects with Lake Naho, which means "eye" in Māori, foreshadowing the hidden Great Spirit Robot.
- ↑ The Papa Nihu Reef was called "Papu Niho" or "Papa Niho" in most early media.
- ↑ This name was used in the story bible as of August 2000, referring to "the canyons of the mind of the Mata Nui", but did not appear in later canon.[5]
- ↑ In the August 2000 story bible, the Makoki were gold and silver masks that were to be found by the Toa Kaita.[5] In later canon, the term Makoki instead referred to a stone that was used to unlock the passageway to Mangaia.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 Villagers of Mata Nui were frequently also referenced by their villages with their elemental prefix followed by "Koran" as derived from "Koro" (eg Ta-Koran, Ga-Koran, etc). This word was quickly replaced with "Koronan," likely owing in part due to the meaning of the real religious text spelled "Koran" in English. This word was again replaced by "Matoran" as derived from "Mata." "Matoran" ultimately also replaced "Tohunga" as the name of the villagers' species.
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 This name was cut during the development of Mata Nui Online Game II: The Final Chronicle.
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 17.4 17.5 Nuhrii, Orkahm, and Tehutti were originally called "Nuri", "Orkan", and "Tehuti", respectively, in the Mata Nui Online Game II: The Final Chronicle, but LEGO changed their names for legal use in when they decided to use them for the line of Matoran sets in 2004. Ahkmou was also originally named "Akmuo" during development, but the name was changed prior to the release of the chapter in which he appeared. Similarly, Mamoru was later intended to be changed to Mamru to not be too close to the original name, although this change was not uniformly reflected in the game's files.[13] These changes were not a result of the challenge from the Māori peoples, but rather because their original names were never legally approved. Those names are considered non-canon.[14]
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 This name does not appear in Mata Nui Online Game II: The Final Chronicle. However, Peter Mack stated that Matoran for each Koro were designed and named by Templar Studios.[13] Since Vhisola and Ehrye's names appear to be consistent with other 2004 Matoran (Nuhrii, Tehutti, etc.) who have alternative spellings of relevant names in other languages, it is possible that they also originated from this game's design document and were unused in-game, similar to Afa and Bardo.
- ↑ The name Heremus is also possibly derived from haereō/hereō - Latin for "I am stuck," "I cling to," "I am stranded." Another possible origin is herēmīta, a Lanin noun derived from Ancient Greek meaning "hermit."
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 20.3 20.4 20.5 Like the other villains of the Ignition Trilogy, the original names of the Piraka appear to represent the characteristics they embody or the roles they fill on the team. Many of these names also appear to correspond to their nicknames in the promotional material: Vezok the brute (following his split from Vezon) being "Grraka" or "The Beast"; Avak the weaponsmith being "Mekrani" or "The Trigger"; Zaktan being "Noxis" or "The Snake"; Reidak the tracker being "Trakka" or "The Tracer"; and Thok being "Wracko" or "The Drifter". Hakann's development name "Brutaka" was recycled for a different character, but it corresponds to his characteristic cruelty, mercilessness, and brutality as well as to his nickname "The Bully".
- ↑ This name is used in BIONICLE: Schoolbook and is believed to be an early name for the Bohrok Va.
- ↑ The Mata Nui Cow was originally called "Mukau" on Daniel Lipkowitz's website. Unlike his other Rahi MOCs, this name is a pun on English words and not taken from the Māori language. It did officially use this name when featured in LEGO Mania Magazine, before being excised from canon. The change was reportedly at the request of Bob Thompson, who felt the pun was too silly.[24]
References
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