Talk:Laraa Subsector
Notes (2015)[edit]
This specific spelling error bugs me:
- sophontic races
There is no such term. Please use either Sophont races, or preferably simply Sophonts.
I respectfully disagree. There is such a term.
- You're in charge so it is your decision, but the word "sophontic" is the adjectival form of "sophont". It has been in print for over 20 years. It is a neologism just like most sci-fi terminology.
- External link: Sophontic
- A species that exhibits human-equivalent intelligence (or higher) is a sophontic species. Also referred to as “sophonts”.
- - Maksim-Smelchak (talk) 07:13, 24 November 2015 (EST)
I Googled it too. I would argue with the (scattered) sources, except Paul Di Filippo's Emperor of Gondwanaland also uses it. Traveller uses the term "race" to refer to intelligent creatures. Non-sophonts are "animals" or "beasts" (to follow the T5 terminology). In several places Traveller also uses the plural "Sophonts" to refer to an entire species. In my experience of Traveller the adjective in this context, "sophontic races", is redundant. It works for "sophontic species" because it clarifies the meaning. The preference from canon works is to use the second sentence in your quote above, simply "Sophonts".
Good point. Although, it doesn't matter since you're chief editor, wiki boss, list mom, etc. and I've pledged to work with you and follow your decisions. I respect you Thomas, and will begin implementing this choice. Thanks, Thomas.
- - Maksim-Smelchak (talk) 09:30, 24 November 2015 (EST)
By the way, Poul Anderson, used the term and he's sometimes credited with the popularization or creation of the term sophont. Don't ask me for an exact citation since I don't recall it off the top of my head.
- - Maksim-Smelchak (talk) 09:32, 24 November 2015 (EST)