A mistake?

[RAND AL THOR]

Aiel always call people by the maximum number of names they've got.

 

Aviendha specifically mentions that she was 'trying very hard' to call Elayne just Elayne.

 

I found one instance in TSH where Rhuarc refers to Rand as just 'Rand.' This was really weird because I have so become used to the Aiel clan chiefs calling him Rand al Thor.

 

Was it an error? I'm sure it was because it never happens anywhere else.

 

This occurs just after Rand's attack by his mirror images. Last page of that chapter.

[Avery]

Aviendha doesn't like using half of their names because it's something for people who are very close to use. Perhaps Rhuarc feels close enough to Rand to use half his name.

[trakand_01]

I think that one of two things (or a combination of both) happened.

 

1) Rhuarc is making a concerted effort to understand other people's ways (as is Aviendha)

2) I might be wrong, but is it not only other people (ie non-aiel) whom the Aiel call by their full names? I dont remember the maidens calling Sulin etc by her full name. I think perhaps Rhuarc respects Rand, and accepts him as Aiel.

[Guest Dreadlord]

The Aiel only have first names though, dont they? A formal introdution is "Aviendha of the [sept name] [clan name]. They dont have surnames

[Spirit1025]

The Aiel only have first names though, dont they? A formal introdution is "Aviendha of the [sept name] [clan name]. They dont have surnames

 

No, the Aiel don't have surnames in the sense that you and I and Rand do. Their system is very much like the beginning of the use of surnames in our world, prior to and in the beginning of the Middle Ages. People would be called by their first name, and then identified by their father's name, their occupation, or their location. This is the origin of most of our last names. "Smith"--a blacksmith, or some other kind of smith. "Johnson"--John's son. This became necessary in Europe in the middle ages when people began living in larger and larger towns, and especially with the popularity of Bible names. There were just too many people named Peter, James, or John to understand which was which. This is how the Aiel work as well. Which is not surprising, given that their connections to clan and sept are very important in their lives; what better way to tell people who you are than by telling them your connection to the most important groups in your life? Sort of like Moiraine telling people she is from House Damodred. To a Cairhienen, that means something important. To an Aiel, being of a particular clan, sept, and society is equivalent to being of a certain House and country.

[Asmo]

Probably a mistake. To my recollection, Rhuarc calls Rand "Rand al'Thor" even after he is acknowledged as the Car'a'carn, at least up to a certain point.