Expertlatin
- Why don t we translate names?
- What are the problems of translating proper names?
- Is it possible to translate names?
- Is it correct to translate proper names?
Why don t we translate names?
Each language has its own grammatical rules, alphabet and system of pronunciation. For this reason personal names or names of places can change depending on these rules. Most people can understand what we mean when we say Christopher Colombus. However, actually it changes depending on the language you are speaking.
What are the problems of translating proper names?
First of all, the philosophy of language does not agree on whether proper names are meaningful or not. Second, there is a lack of consistency in the translation theories proposed.
Is it possible to translate names?
No, proper names do not get translated. You can note that the proper name X derives from the noun Y in A-language (where X may be identical to Y), and that Y in A-language translates to Z in B-language.
Is it correct to translate proper names?
In most cases, proper names should not be translated. Imagine the chaos and confusion that would be caused if your name is Henry but in Madrid they call you Enrique and in Barcelona they know you as Enric. That's one of the reasons why proper names are often not translated. However, there are exceptions.
