22
T
T
H
H
E
E
T
T
R
R
A
A
N
N
S
S
L
L
A
A
T
T
I
I
O
O
N
N
O
O
F
F
P
P
R
R
O
O
P
P
E
E
R
R
N
N
A
A
M
M
E
E
S
S
A
A
N
N
D
D
I
I
N
N
S
S
T
T
I
I
T
T
U
U
T
T
I
I
O
O
N
N
A
A
L
L
A
A
N
N
D
D
C
C
U
U
L
L
T
T
U
U
R
R
A
A
L
L
T
T
E
E
R
R
M
M
S
S
Since proper names and institutional and cultural terms shade into each
other, I discuss this important, extensive and virtually undebated subject
within one chapter, but I propose to split it into five parts: proper names;
historical institutional terms; institutional terms; national institutional
terms; and cultural terms.
The basic distinction between proper names and cultural terms is that
while both refer to persons, objects or processes peculiar to a single
ethnic community, the former have singular references, while the later
refer to classes of entities: in theory, names of single persons or objects
are “outside” languages, belong, if at all, to the encyclopedia not the
dictionary, have, as Mill stated, no meaning or connotations, are
therefore, both untranslatable and not to be translated.
In fact, while the position is nothing like so simple, the principle stands
that unless a single objects or a person’s name already has an accepted
translation it should not be translated but must be adhered to, unless the
name is used as a metaphor. If the name becomes commonly used, it
may be modified in pronunciation and spelling; but nowadays, when
people have become as jealous of their names as of their national and
linguistic independence, this is not likely.
The established practices for translating the names of HISTORICAL
FIGURES are as follows. Where sovereigns had “translatable” Christian
names and they were well known, their names, together with titles (e.g.
Richard Coeur de Lion) were and are still usually mutually translated in
the main European counties. However, in English, Lewis has reverted to
Louis and Francis to Franois. “Christian” name, referring to Biblical
figures (e.g. all saints In Biblical times and later remain translated.
Surnames have usually been preserved, but the surnames, first names
and names of some Italian artists have been “naturalized” in some
European languages (e.g. Le Tintonet, Raphael, Michelange, Le
Caravage, Leïonerd as well as Machiavel). Names of classical writers
the first names of some historical and literary figures (Jean Hus, Henry
Heine, who died in Paris). The only living person whose name is always
translated is the Pope.
In belles - letters, names are normally translated only if, as in some
plays, the characters and milieu are neutralized. Neubert (1972) has
pointed out that in the best German translation of Tom Jones the
characters’ surnames are translated since they “mean” as well as
23
“name”, but I do not think they would be translated in a modern version,
since this would suggest that they change their nationality.
While surnames in fiction often have deliberate connotations through
sound and meaning, the translator should explain the connotations in a
glossary and leave names intact (except, of course, in allegories like
Pilgrim’s Progress, Everyman, etc. where the characters are not
specifically English).
Proper names in fairy stories, folk tales and children’s literature are
often translated, on the ground that children and fairies are the same the
world over. The names of heroes of folk tales are not translated if they
represent national qualities.
The only types of proper names applied to categories of objects are
trademarks, brand - names and proprietary names. These must not be
translated unless they have become eponyms and used generically
(e.g. refrigerator, countless medical terms), and many such terms
become eponyms before the object goes out of patent - in which case
they must be translated often by common noun (hoover - aspirateur,
etc.). Numerous drugs are marketed under different proprietary names
in various countries: many are listed in Martin
dale’s Pharmacopoeia, but
consultation with makers is usually required.
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