Translation of proper names in fiction

Any interesting book is the result of the work not only of the author, but also of the translator, who helps readers to touch the cultural heritage. It depends on the efforts and expertise of the translation team whether the vibe, style and depth of the original are preserved, and how translated text will be perceived by the international audience. So, the role of proper names translation in fiction cannot be overestimated.

Proper names often carry a cultural and semantic significance that is difficult to convey in another language adequately. In this article, we will look at how translating proper names can be not only a challenge, but also the translator’s creativity.

The main challenges of translating proper names

Different types of proper names, their semantic structure, variety of functions and deep social and cultural subtext raise many questions and pose some challenges to translators. Let’s consider three main aspects:

Preserving the cultural context

Any author can add important cultural subtext to proper names. In this case, translators must store it so that it has the same effect on the foreign audience.

Interpretation of word play and symbolism

Character names often have symbolic or metaphorical meanings and play on words. Therefore, translators are forced to find a way to convey these aspects without losing the meaning, but also to let the audience understand the meaning correctly.

Sonority

When translating proper names in fiction, their melodiousness and unique sounding should be considered and preserved.

Quality translation of proper names requires not only knowledge of the original and the target languages, but also a grasp of the culture. This helps to ensure that the meaning is conveyed accurately and that the emotional and cultural meaning is retained for new readers.

Ways to Translate Proper Names

There are several approaches to translating proper names, each of which has its own characteristics and can be chosen depending on the style and genre of the work, the purpose of the translation and the intention of the translator. Let’s look at some of them in the translation of the novel “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” into Ukrainian by Victor Morozov:

1. Transcription: Sirius Black — Сіріус Блек, Harry Potter — Гаррі Поттер.
2. Cultural adaptation: cats of Mr. Paws, Snowy, Tibbles, and Tufty — Лапонька, Білосніжка, Мурчик, Марсик.
3. Morphogrammatical modification: Hermione — Герміона, Voldemort — Волан-де-Морт.
4. Generalized translation. Jell-O dish (the product and brand under which jelly and mousse are produced), in order not to confuse Ukrainian readers, turned into just “jelly”.
5. Traditional matches: Christmas — Різдво.
6. Functional analogy: Hooch broomstick flying teacher — Гуч.
7. Clarifying translation: Surrey — графство Суррей.
8. Variability limitation: the name of the broom Nimbus Two Thousand is “Nimbus-2000”.
9. Preservation of equivalence: variants of the name Dudley — Duddydums and Dudleykins, are Дадличок і Дадлик in Ukrainian.
10. Calculus: High Table — Високий стіл.
11. Anagram transformation: saving the anagram of the name Tom Marvolo Riddle — Том Ярволод Редл (Я лорд Волдеморт).
12. Nominal substitution: Malcolm — Майкл.

Sometimes a name or proper name consists of several parts, and different approaches are used to convey them:

• “Privet Drive” street name — “вуличка Прівіт-драйв” (transcription and clarifying translation);
• Griffindor Tower — “вежа Грифіндор” (direct translation and transcription).

The translator is essentially the co-author of the work with talent and experience to convey the ideas, emotions, and temper of the characters. Every word, phrase, and image pass through his or her understanding and skill. The diligent work of a translator tends to go unnoticed, but the art of translation is often displayed in the translation of proper names.