Páginas no tópico:   < [1 2 3 4 5]
Is translating people’s names out of date in 2022?
Tópico cartaz: Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
Jan Truper
Jan Truper  Identity Verified
Alemanha
Local time: 15:27
Membro (2016)
inglês para alemão
Regarding that one guy Oct 9, 2022

I have been translating his name as "Putler" in all conversations since February.

Adieu
 
XIAO YAO ZHANG
XIAO YAO ZHANG  Identity Verified
China
Local time: 21:27
inglês para chinês
+ ...
Chinese translators' works in translating western people's name Oct 9, 2022

Say you have this guy who is called John and who lives in German. Chinese translators would translate his name into "约翰(yuē hàn)" since the pronunciation sounds more like German somehow. But if he weren't a German, in a parallel universe, he were a British, how would we translate the name of John? Into "肖恩(xiāo ēn)". Or "乔恩(qiáo ēn)". What a about an American John? That would be "琼(qióng)". But you should always remember to use some good words. For instance, "穷(qióng)" is... See more
Say you have this guy who is called John and who lives in German. Chinese translators would translate his name into "约翰(yuē hàn)" since the pronunciation sounds more like German somehow. But if he weren't a German, in a parallel universe, he were a British, how would we translate the name of John? Into "肖恩(xiāo ēn)". Or "乔恩(qiáo ēn)". What a about an American John? That would be "琼(qióng)". But you should always remember to use some good words. For instance, "穷(qióng)" is unacceptable though the pronunciation has no difference. Speaking of 穷(poor, especially in lack of money), we translate the name Poor into "普尔(pu3er3)".

Don't be fool by some Chinese who has menace to U.S. citizens. Most users of Bilibili like to translate "Trump" to "川建国(chuān jiàn guó)". It's not good to laugh about a president of a nation. This way of translation indicates that Trump is a spy sent by socialist camp.

A better, less hostile way of translation would be "川普(chuān pu3)" if you wanna tell jokes. Because 川普 means "Standard Chinese with a little bit Sichuanese accent". This joke is acceptable because Sichuanese is a very cute accent. And the formal translation published by Chinese government should be "特朗普(tè lang3 pu3)" and nothing else, the Chinese meaning of which is "very dependable" as a sign of cordiality.
Collapse


Michael Newton
 
Páginas no tópico:   < [1 2 3 4 5]


To report site rules violations or get help, contact a site moderator:


You can also contact site staff by submitting a support request »

Is translating people’s names out of date in 2022?







Protemos translation business management system
Create your account in minutes, and start working! 3-month trial for agencies, and free for freelancers!

The system lets you keep client/vendor database, with contacts and rates, manage projects and assign jobs to vendors, issue invoices, track payments, store and manage project files, generate business reports on turnover profit per client/manager etc.

More info »
TM-Town
Manage your TMs and Terms ... and boost your translation business

Are you ready for something fresh in the industry? TM-Town is a unique new site for you -- the freelance translator -- to store, manage and share translation memories (TMs) and glossaries...and potentially meet new clients on the basis of your prior work.

More info »