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Anonymous Posted 17 years ago
Grammar
"Buffy the Vampire Slayer" Questions
Hello EnglishForward Community,
I have been watching the cult television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Naturally, as I do with all the shows I watch, I question the way grammar and punctuation is used (or should be used).
1) Is it correct for the title of the television show to be punctuated "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" instead of "Buffy, the Vampire Slayer"? Of course, the latter part of the title, "the Vampire Slayer," is a cognomen; therefore, I guess it would be correct for it to be "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," as William the Conqueror is written the same way. However, if I were speaking directly to Buffy and asking about her profession, she would tell me she is "Buffy, the Vampire Slayer."
2) In one of the episodes in season 4 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Buffy is talking to her boyfriend and tells him to look up "the Slayer." The Scene: Buffy: "I thought a professional demon chaser like yourself would've figured it out by now. I'm the Slayer. Slay-er. Chosen One. She-who-hangs-out-a-lot-in-cemeteries? You're kidding. Ask around. Look it up: "Slayer, comma the." This would mean "Slayer, the." Is it correct for it to be written or spoken that way instead of "the Slayer"?
Thank you,
DJ
I have been watching the cult television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Naturally, as I do with all the shows I watch, I question the way grammar and punctuation is used (or should be used).
1) Is it correct for the title of the television show to be punctuated "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" instead of "Buffy, the Vampire Slayer"? Of course, the latter part of the title, "the Vampire Slayer," is a cognomen; therefore, I guess it would be correct for it to be "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," as William the Conqueror is written the same way. However, if I were speaking directly to Buffy and asking about her profession, she would tell me she is "Buffy, the Vampire Slayer."
2) In one of the episodes in season 4 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Buffy is talking to her boyfriend and tells him to look up "the Slayer." The Scene: Buffy: "I thought a professional demon chaser like yourself would've figured it out by now. I'm the Slayer. Slay-er. Chosen One. She-who-hangs-out-a-lot-in-cemeteries? You're kidding. Ask around. Look it up: "Slayer, comma the." This would mean "Slayer, the." Is it correct for it to be written or spoken that way instead of "the Slayer"?
Thank you,
DJ
Top answer
" Is it correct for it to be written or spoken that way instead of "the Slayer"? No. I've never seen the show but from the dialog you quote it's pretty clear that Buffy is being a bit sarcastic, she's is deliberately over explaining the situation as way of expressing her impatience with her boyfriend.
- " Is it correct for it to be written or spoken that way instead of "the Slayer"?
- No.
- I've never seen the show but from the dialog you quote it's pretty clear that Buffy is being a bit sarcastic, she's is deliberately over explaining the situation as way of expressing her impatience with her boyfriend.
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3 Answers
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AnonymousThis would mean "Slayer, the." Is it correct for it to be written or spoken that way instead of "the Slayer"?No. I've never seen the show but from the dialog you quote it's pretty clear that Buffy is being a bit sarcastic, she's is deliberately over explaining the situation as way of expressing her impatience with her boyfriend.
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Hello DJ,
1. Buffy, the Vampire Slayer
2. Buffy the Vampire Slayer
3. Slayer, The
In #1, "the VS" redefines "Buffy". You might use this where you wanted to distinguish this particular Buffy from other possible Buffies (e.g. the late Queen Mother).
In #2, "the VS" is a cognomen, and thus part of the name. As you say, it parallels William the Conqueror,
1. Buffy, the Vampire Slayer
2. Buffy the Vampire Slayer
3. Slayer, The
In #1, "the VS" redefines "Buffy". You might use this where you wanted to distinguish this particular Buffy from other possible Buffies (e.g. the late Queen Mother).
In #2, "the VS" is a cognomen, and thus part of the name. As you say, it parallels William the Conqueror,
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