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Joined: May 2009
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stranger
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stranger
Joined: May 2009
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Can anyone tell me what a series of two books (literary fiction) is called?
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 390
enthusiast
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enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 390 |
i have seen both diptych and duology used for this but i am not competent enough in English to know if such use was correct or not. a look at their dictionary definitions tells me probably not.
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Joined: Dec 2000
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Dec 2000
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Dictionaries are not always on top of the changing use of words. If there are any substantial numbers of prescriptivists railing against such usages the usages are probably correct. You will find the occasional prescrip that goes out in search of typos and other simple errors and rants against them as though they were common solecisms which is why I add the "substantial numbers" caveat. Of the two choices that latishya gave I would think 'duology' would better serve the purpose. 'Diptych' would more likely bring up the image of a two part painting and then you'd have to waste time explaining that it was books you were referring to. With 'duology' you would only have to explain if it weren't books.
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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...wouldn't it work just call them a "book" and a "sequel" ?
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Joined: Aug 2005
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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"sequel"Some sequels are prequels, midquels, or otherwise ... ( link). Folks like to smoodge language into leeking and drafty corners like caulking.
Ceci n'est pas un seing.
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Joined: Dec 2000
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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Also, a sequel sort of implies that the plotline of the first story wraps up neatly, which is not always the case with the first book of a duology. Besides, it's easier to say 'duology' than it is to say 'book and sequel.' If you want something to pule and micturate about with 'duology' you could always use the fact that it's mixed Latin and Greek. Some folk seem to think that's a punishable offense.
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Joined: Jun 2002
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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how about biology?
or perhaps this is the wrong thread for that....
:¬ )
formerly known as etaoin...
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Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
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