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What pluralization convention do you use?

Which convention?

  • The Bulbapedia method

    Votes: 22 66.7%

  • The Portmanteau/Suffix method

    Votes: 6 18.2%

  • The "S" method

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Other (specify in thread)

    Votes: 5 15.2%

  • What are plurals?

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Total voters
    33
Z

Zekurom

is obsessed with Noivern!
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Going hand-in-hand with the capitalization thread, this thread takes a look at how we pluralize the Pokemon names.

Here are a few of the conventions I've personally seen used:

  1. The Bulbapedia method (the official method, also known as the Japanese method)
    • Never change any Pokemon name when making it plural, or the word "Pokemon" itself.
    • Example sentence: Zachary had two Clefairy, three Spearow, two Pikachu, four Magnemite, seven Butterfree, and five Vulpix in his box, with spaces for two more Pokemon.
  2. The Portmanteau method (also known as the Suffix method)
    • Add the plural suffix to a name that corresponds to the last portmanteau-ed word or attached suffix.
    • Example sentence: Zachary had two Clefairies, three Spearows, two Pikachu, four Magnemites, seven Butterfree, and five Vulpix in his box, with spaces for two more Pokemon.
    • Explanation: "Clefairy" has the word "fairy", which is pluralized as "fairies". "Spearow" comes from "sparrow". "Pikachu" is a Japanese word. "Magnemite" has the "-mite" suffix. Butterfree has the word "free", which is never a noun, and Vulpix is an unknown word.
    • Words like "Magikarp" and "Corphish", which end in words that are not pluralized in English anyway, stay the same.
  3. The "S" method (also known as the Lazy method)
    • Add the plural suffix "-s" or "-es" to everything that doesn't already have it.
    • Example sentence: Zachary has two Clefairys, three Spearows, two Pikachus, four Magnemites, seven Butterfrees, and five Vulpixes in his box, with spaces for two more Pokemons.
    • Sometimes people will also use "Clefairies" in this scenario, or leave "Pokemon" alone, turning it into just the Portmanteau method with a few extra "S"es added in.
I'm only typing this up now because I'm suffering from insomnia. You won't usually see me on at this time.

The anime actually uses the Portmanteau method in the first few episodes. In the first one, no less - Ash calls the group of Spearows about to attack them as "Spearows!".

Actually, come to think about it, even Red and Blue use the "S" method.

What method do you use?

To start off the poll, I use the Portmanteau method, personally.
 
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Re: [discussion] What pluralization convention do you use?

I vary from time to time, though I stick to the official method as often as I can. It really stuck out for me when I watched the first few episodes and I was like "strange..." but didn't really question it.
 
Re: [discussion] What pluralization convention do you use?

I always use the Bulbapedia method. Singular = plural.
 
Re: [discussion] What pluralization convention do you use?

I prefer the bulbapedia method, dunno it makes more sense to me.
And seems more Pokemon-y (whatever that means).
 
Re: [discussion] What pluralization convention do you use?

Personally, I use the portmanteau method. It's just easier that way, I guess.
 
Re: [discussion] What pluralization convention do you use?

So far I've only been using the Bublapedia method. There might be certain species that could be an exception and sound better with an "s" plural, but I've yet to come across one yet that does. Pretty much all of the Pokemon species I've written about so far have been following the first method. I think the anime for the most part uses the same method, so I may be used to that as well.
 
Re: [discussion] What pluralization convention do you use?

I primarily use the Bulbapedia method, but I use the portmanteau method for certain Pokemon.
 
Re: [discussion] What pluralization convention do you use?

Bulbapedia method for me. It's simple and easy, and you'll never get weird-sounding plural words that you might get with the other two methods.

- Kat
 
Re: [discussion] What pluralization convention do you use?

I vary between Bulbapedia method and Portmanteau method.
 
Re: [discussion] What pluralization convention do you use?

The Bulbapedia method. It is easy and doesn't require thought. Plus it sounds nicer.
 
Re: [discussion] What pluralization convention do you use?

That being said, I have a question about the naming of these methods. Do you like me calling it the Bulbapedia method? Or is there another name that you would prefer calling it?
 
Re: [discussion] What pluralization convention do you use?

I don't think they really have names, but yes, I think you should change the Bulbapedia method. After all, Bulbapedia can be edited by almost anyone, and some of those people may be in the camp of grammatical correctness. I'd just call it the Caps Method, because in the older games PROPER NOUNS tended to be CAPITALIZED.
 
Re: [discussion] What pluralization convention do you use?

Giratina! said:
I don't think they really have names, but yes, I think you should change the Bulbapedia method. After all, Bulbapedia can be edited by almost anyone, and some of those people may be in the camp of grammatical correctness. I'd just call it the Caps Method, because in the older games PROPER NOUNS tended to be CAPITALIZED.
Click to expand...

Well, when I say the Bulbapedia method, I mean the method prescribed in the Bulbapedia manual of style. But alright.

And I think you're putting this in the wrong thread. This is the pluralization convention thread, not the capitalization convention thread.
 
bulbapedia method. unless its mudkips.
 
I would rather use the Bulbapedia method but some of the time, it just doesn't sound right so I generally use the Suffix method.
 
For the new Gen.5 Pokemon, here is what I would do:

Wargle -> Wargles
Chillarmy -> Chillarmies (at least before they release the English name)

And everything else is left alone.
 
For narration and characters who are familiar with Pokémon, I use the Bulbapedia method. For characters who are less familiar with the setting, I may have them use the portmanteau or "S" method. Giving different characters different pluralization methods—and even different pronunciations—can help them seem more like individuals.
 
Usually the Bulbapedia method or the S method (although never putting an 's' on the word "Pokémon")... the Portmanteau method is kind of confusing.
Actually, I don't use any of those methods... I usually just use whatever sounds the best for that particular Pokémon. Which I guess turns out to be similar to the Portmanteau method a lot of the time, although not following a strict set of rules.
 
Singular and plural are one and the same. Unlike capitalisation, I was under the impression that this was never even open for discussion. :p
 
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