Google Answers Logo
View Question
 
Q: Literary terms ( No Answer,   5 Comments )
Question  
Subject: Literary terms
Category: Reference, Education and News
Asked by: fussbudget-ga
List Price: $2.00
Posted: 21 Jun 2005 11:44 PDT
Expires: 21 Jul 2005 11:44 PDT
Question ID: 535569
A three-novel series is a trilogy. A four-novel series is a tetralogy.
What do you call a series of two novels?
Answer  
There is no answer at this time.

Comments  
Subject: Re: Literary terms
From: pinkfreud-ga on 21 Jun 2005 12:14 PDT
 
It doesn't appear in any dictionary that I know of, and language
purists are not likely to accept it, but "duology" is sometimes used:

://www.google.com/search?biw=772&hl=en&q=duology
Subject: Re: Literary terms
From: frde-ga on 22 Jun 2005 02:08 PDT
 
A tetrology is also often called a quartet
Subject: Re: Literary terms
From: bikon-ga on 04 Jul 2005 10:03 PDT
 
I think trilogy decomposes as tri- (three) + -logy (discourse,
according to the OED).

Original meaning :
"A  series  of  three  tragedies performed in Athens at festival of Dionysus"


Therefore, one could write series of two works as "dialogy" (rather
than -- at least I think -- "duology"). I'm not sure anybody actually
does this however.
Subject: Re: Literary terms
From: pinkfreud-ga on 04 Jul 2005 11:47 PDT
 
I agree that "dialogy" is a more pleasing construction than "duology,"
but "duology" has the advantage of being in actual use.
Subject: Re: Literary terms
From: fussbudget-ga on 04 Jul 2005 16:25 PDT
 
Duology is improperly formed, having one foot in Latin and the other
in Greek. But that doesn't completely rule it out as an English word.
After all, nobody minds television, a hardy hybrid which exists
because telescope was already taken, and transvision--which would have
been acceptable to purists--doesn't seem to carry the right sense.

Anyway, I'm happy with duology. Thanks.

Important Disclaimer: Answers and comments provided on Google Answers are general information, and are not intended to substitute for informed professional medical, psychiatric, psychological, tax, legal, investment, accounting, or other professional advice. Google does not endorse, and expressly disclaims liability for any product, manufacturer, distributor, service or service provider mentioned or any opinion expressed in answers or comments. Please read carefully the Google Answers Terms of Service.

If you feel that you have found inappropriate content, please let us know by emailing us at answers-support@google.com with the question ID listed above. Thank you.
Search Google Answers for
Google Answers  


Google Home - Answers FAQ - Terms of Service - Privacy Policy