Web Translation Projects/Polish Translations of Proper Names in The Lord of the Rings/LOTR in Jerzy Łoziński's Translation

Introduction

The aim of this project is to show how proper names have been translated by Jerzy Łoziński in The Lord of the Rings translation from 1996. In the translator's notes Łoziński explains that he tried to present the world of the book according to the wishes of J.R.R Tolkien. He also mentions that he tried his best to render the translation in a way that it could emulate the original, to give a notion as if Tolkien originally created it in Polish .

What are Proper Names?

In The Grammar of Names it is mentioned that according to Robert Gordon Latham, we can divide names into Proper or Common. Proper names are attributed to individual objects, a certain person or place. Common names refer to a class or collection (ex. dog, cat ,vehicle).

Translation of Proper Names

There are multiple ways and approaches to translating a text from the Source Language into the Target Language. We are going to focus on translation strategies proposed by Albert Péter Vermes: Transference, Substitution, Translation, Modification. However, we will expand the list further. The following strategies can be applied separately, but it is also possible to use multiple strategies simultaneously.

• Transference
• Substitution
• Translation
• Modification
• Omission
• Addition
• Generalization
• Transference + phonetic adaptation

Translation Strategies

Transference

It is a strategy of translation, where the translator does not change the given word in any way. The word is kept in the Target Language in the same form it appeared in the Source Language, so one can say it has been "transfered" .

Substitution

It is connected with the use of already functioning equivalents of the word that are used in the Target Language. These include, but are not limited to names of countries (ex. Germany = Deutschland = Niemcy), cities, geographical names (rivers, seas, mountains, etc.). Vermes believes that translators are expected to make use of the names existing in the TL .

Translation

This strategy is used when the translator renders the noun in the Target Text. According to Newmark rendering the text into the target language and trying to make it as close as possible in meaning intended by the author is considered an act called translation.

Modification

It is a strategy that relies on searching for substitutes in the Target Language that are related partly, or not related at all to the original. This means that if a original name is translated from the Source Language, it is changed significantly in the Target Language .

Omission

It is a strategy that involves removing an original noun or its part in translation, due to various reasons. One of the reasons could be the fact that the translator deems a part of it as unnecessary, or problematic in the sense that it may be ambiguous to the reader of the Target Text.

Addition

This strategy involves expansion in the translation of a source noun. Addition is performed in the main body of the TT or as marginal notes. Its goal is to clarify the text for the reader by providing information and removing ambiguities that could affect the understanding of the text. Words that are culture-bound exist and thus it is often not possible to find fitting equivalents for them. In order to convey their meaning, instead of transfering them into the Target Text, a translator may resort to paraphrasing or presenting the omitted word in a descriptive way.

Generalization

This strategy revolves around the use of superordinates(or hypernyms) in the place of a given word. For example, instead of saying "I saw a man sitting by the oak tree" one can say "I saw a man sitting by a tree".

Transference + phonetic adaptation

In this strategy the nouns are transfered into the TT, however they are phonetically adapted to match the conventions of the TL.

Examples of translated proper names

Translation of names connected with the Elves in LotR

A note on page 13 in Władca Pierścieni: Bractwo Pierścienia (The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring) can be found regarding linguistic changes that were applied for elven terms. It is explains that the changes were made in order to prevent the Polish readers from mispronouncing them. The changes are as follows "th" - "t" (Thranduil - Tranduil), "c"-"k" (Celebrimbor - Kelebrimbor), "ó" -"õ" (Lórien-Lõria) and "w" - "u" (Arwen-Aruena) . There is one more change that appears, "í" - "i" (Celebrían - Kelebriana), however it seems that it does not influence the pronunciation and is only a visual change.

Original	Jerzy Łoziński	Translation Strategy	Comment
Rivendell	Tajar	modification	The translator came up with a unique name
Lórien	Lõria	translation
Lothlórien	Lotalõria	translation	It is also referred to as "The Golden Wood", and translated as "Złocisty Bór"
Grey Havens	Szare Przystanie	translation	The Elvish name for it is "Mithlond". It is translated as "Mitlond".
Mirkwood	Sępna Puszcza	translation
The Blessed Realm	Błogosławiony Kraj	translation	This refers to the continent also known as Aman or Valinor
Gorgoroth	Gorgorot	transference+phonetic adaptation
Argonath	Argonat	transference+phonetic adaptation	Known also as the Gates of Argonath and the Pillars of Kings, which are translated as "Bramy Argonath" and "Filary Królów" respectively.
Cerin Amroth	Kerin Amrot	transference+phonetic adaptation
Cirith Gorgor	Kirit Gorgor	transference+phonetic adaptation
Parth Galen	Part Galen	transference+phonetic adaptation
Arwen Undómiel	Aruena Undõmiel	transference+phonetic adaptation	Undómiel means Evenstar
Celebrían	Kelebriana	transference+phonetic adaptation	Arwen's mother, the name was transfered and adapted phonetically. Letter "a" was added at the end of the word in order to indicate that the person who uses it is female.
Elrond Half-elven	Elrond Półelf	transference, translation	The name remained unchanged, the title was translated.
Thranduil	Tranduil	transference+phonetic adaptation	He is the father of Legolas and the leader of the elves of Mirkwood.
Calacyria	Kalkiryia	transference+phonetic adaptation	A narrow pass that led through the mountains known as Pelóri.
Hill of Hearing	Góra Nasłuchu	translation	Also known as Amon Lhaw
Hill of Sight	Góra Nadzoru	translation	Also known as Amon Hen
Nargothrond	Nargotrond	transference+phonetic adaptation	An elven fortress and city built underground.
Berúthiel	Berútiel	transference+phonetic adaptation
Elven-ship	Elfowy korab	translation	It was mentioned in an elven song. The word "korab" is sometimes used in poems instead of the word "statek" (this word means ship)

Translation of some names and surnames of hobbits

Original	Jerzy Łoziński	Translation Strategy	Comment
Daddy Twofoot	Papcio Dwustopczyk	substitution, modification
Ted Sandyman	Tado Piaszczyk	modification	The name was changed. The surname was changed, Sandy was probably translated as "Piaszczysty" and then modified by adding a slavic suffix popular in Ukraine -yk/-czyk (Piaszcz + -yk)
Fredegar Bolger	Fred Boblik	modification	also referred to as "Fatty" - "Grubcio"
Peregrin Took	Peregrin Tuk	transference+phonetic adaptation	Pippin - Pipin name remained unchanged, surname was phonetically adapted.
Meriadok Brandybuck	Radostek Gorzaleń	modification	"Merry" - "Rady"
Adelard Took	Adelajda Tuk	translation, transference+phonetic adaptation	This is most likely an error in translation, In the original this character is a man, however in the translation his gender is changed.
Angelica Baggins	Angelika Bagosz	substitution, modification	The name was substituted for an already existing equivalent.
Sancho Hardfoot	Sanczo Hardostopczyk	transference+phonetic adaptation
Bilbo Baggins	Bilbo Bagosz	transference, modification	He is called Mad Baggins during his birthday party, it is translated into Polish as Zbzikowany Bagosz.
Farmer Maggot	Kmieć Chętka	modification

Surnames of hobbits in Bree

Original	Jerzy Łoziński	Translation Strategy	Comment
Mugworts	Piołunowie	translation
Longholes	Długojam	translation
Banks	Nabrzeg	translation
Sandheaver	Piaskun	translation
Tunnelly	Tunelak	translation

Names of some rivers

Original	Jerzy Łoziński	Translation Strategy	Comment
Anduin	Anduina	transference+phonetic adaptation
Brandywine	Gorzewina	translation	It also appears as "Baranduin" - "Gorzewina", this names is used by elves and the one shown in the table is used by hobbits.
Hoarwell	Siwa Woda	translation
Stock	Kłodawka	translation
Withywindle	Wierzbica	translation/modification	The word "withy" is used in some names of places in English. Coincidentally the name used by the translator for the river is the name of a village in Poland.
Silverlode	Srebrzysta	translation	Also known as "Celebrant" - "Kelebrant"
Isen	Isena	transference+phonetic adaptation
Loudwater	Gromka Woda	translation