Web Translation Projects/Polish Translations of Proper Names in The Lord of the Rings/LOTR in Maria Skibniewska's vs Maria and Cezary Frąc's Translation
Lord of the Rings in Maria Skibniewska's vs Maria and Cezary Frąc's Translation
editThe aim of this project is to compare the translation strategies concerning proper names which were used by Maria Skibniewska (1961-1963) and M. and C. Frąc (2001). Various difficulties arising in the process of translating proper names, particularly those of them that involve a meaning, have been noted in many papers on translation linguistics. The appropriate rendition of character names, place names and events rooted in a completely fictional reality is definitely a challenge for any translator whose effort concentrates on preserving the meaning laying behind each proper name in the original text. The Lord of the Rings saga provides the inexhaustible source of material for analyzing the translation strategies of proper names due to the extensiveness of Tolkien's universe alive with multilingual and multicultural elements.
Proper Names
editDefinition
editProper names (or nouns) are very specific area in literature and translation studies. According to The Oxford Concise English Dictionary a proper name is a name for an individual person, place, or organization having an initial capital letter[1]. A proper name refers to an extralinguistic and specific object which is differentiated from other objects that belong to the same kind by means of its name. It cannot be confused with a common name by which a particular object is commonly known and whose nature is not directory unlike the nature of proper name. However, some scholars do not distinguish between proper and common names based on the conviction that proper names are meaningless and are prone to evolve into common names once they absorb some properties of their bearers in virtue of their association[2]. A point in case is Adidas which drifted into a common name after losing its character.
One of the prominent scholars who contributed to the development of proper name studies is Zabeeh. He had some interesting observations regarding the functions of proper names to which he assigned mystical role in literature. He wrote:
Poets, magicians, linguistics and logicians have often been fascinated and angered by the protean functions of proper names, The interest of poets was mostly concerned with the connotations which the phonemes and the morphemes of personal or place-names carry with themselves and may awaken the memory of sundry bits of information about the bearers of the names. Even a bare mentioning, a mere echo of the name of some significant person or place – not to speak of the significant use of such a name – may occasion the floating of forgotten images. As if the name which supposes to be a mere label for a thing tries to tell us that it can do many other things besides its supposed proper role – it can tell us tall tales about its bearer.[3]
John Stuart Mill held an opposite view, claiming that proper names were actually devoid of meaning and had no distinguishing features setting them apart from common nouns[4]. This approach is shared by Peter Newmark who claimed:
(...) names of single persons or objects are outside languages; belong, if at all, to the encyclopaedia, not the dictionary; have, as Mill stated, no meaning or connotations, and are, therefore, both untranslatable and not to be translated.[5]
However, it is worth stressing that P. Newmark admitted that certain proper names may involve assorted meanings and in such case he opted for explaining the connotations attached to proper names in a glossary while preserving the proper names in their original spelling.
Classification of Proper Names
editHejwowski distinguishes the following groups of proper names:
- anthroponyms (names, surnames, nicknames, names of families and clans, as well as names of teams and groups of people)
- toponyms (proper names that define the elements that make up the landscape of a given place)
- zoononyms (proper names given to animals)
- phytonyms (consist of names given to plants)
Proper Names in Translation
editA plethora of various translation strategies have been proposed by translation theorists: Javier Franco Aixela, Peter Newmark, Jean-Paul Vinay and Jean Darbelnet, Lincoln Fernandes and Eirlys E. Davies, Christine Schaffner and Use Weisemann[6]. In this research Davie's translation strategies have been chosen as she lists her own translation strategies which take into consideration translation of culture-specific items including proper names. She lists the following strategies:
Preservation
editPreservation happens when the term is directly translated into the target language without any explanations. There are two types of preservation: formal and semantic. The former refers to preserving the form of a culture-specific item in the target language. The source item is either unchanged or transliterated in the target language. The latter refers to preserving the literal meaning. The source target item is literally translated into the target language[7].
Addition
editAddition occurs when a translator considers it necessary to keep the original item but supplements it with some explanation regarding its meaning. Additional information is inserted within the text or added as a footnote.
Omission
editOmission is the deletion of a problematic item so that no trace of it is preserved in the target text. Even though omission results in a complete loss of the original reference, it provides smooth reading for the target audience. A given item can be omitted for a couple of reasons e.g. lack of native equivalent in the target language or predicted inability to interpret the meaning of a given culture-specific item.
Globalization
editGlobalization is a form of domestication and occurs when a translator decides to replace a culture-specific items with the ones which are more general, neutral and widely accessible. In the process of globalization an item may lose its cultural associations but its essential meaning is kept.
Localization
editLocalization means adapting a cultural-specific item to a specific country or region. This strategy also includes phonological and grammatical adaptation of names and the use of gender endings.
Creation
editCreation occurs when a translator decides to create a culture specific item that is totally different from the one used in the source text.
Tolkien's Guide to the Names in The Lord of the Rings
editThe Guide to the Names in The Lord of the Rings (also known as Nomenclature of The Lord of the Rings or simply Nomenclature) is a collection of guidelines for translators compiled by J. R. R. Tolkien in 1960s. after his disappointment in the Dutch and Swedish translations. After the above-mentioned translations came out, Tolkien wrote:
when any further translations are negotiated, [...] I should be consulted at an early stage. [...] After all, I charge nothing, and can save a translator a good deal of time and puzzling; and if consulted at an early stage my remarks will appear far less in the light of peevish criticisms.[8]
Tolkien divides the group of proper names including into the following categories:
- those that should be translated into native equivalents (e.g. Appledore - an old name for an apple tree)
- those that should include a certain word in TL (e.g. Baggins - which according to Tolkien's guide should contain an element meaning 'sack, bag' in the TL).
- those that should be retained with any spelling changes that may seem necessary to fit them to the style of the language of translation (e.g. Gamgee - a surname found in England
- those that should be let unchanged (e.g. Gambling, Shadowfax, Wormtongue - surnames found in Rohan).
- those translated by sense (e.g. Goldberry).
Translation of Proper Names in LOTR
editOriginal | Maria Skibniewska | Translation Strategy | Maria and Cezary Frąc | Translation Strategy | Comment |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Gandalf the Grey | Gandalf Szary | semantic preservation | Gandalf Szary | semantic preservation | Direct translation referring to the grey cloak worn by Gandalf. |
The Ranger of Eriador | Strażnik z Eriadoru | semantic preservation | Strażnik Eriadoru | semantic preservation | Both translations are logically and linguistically equivalent
(although there is a significant difference in meaning; the Rangers both came from Eriador and were concerned with the protection of various sites in Eriador). |
the great Council | Wielka Narada | semantic preservation | wielka narada | semantic preservation | A major difference in meaning. Skibniewska's translation reflects the nature of proper name while Frąc's rendering is a common noun. Skibniewska's choice seems to be more adequate as the great Council was a major event and should be recognized as such in capitalization. |
the East Gate of Moria | Wschodnia Brama Morii | semantic preservation | wschodnia Brama Morii | semantic preservation | For Skibniewska "East" is an integral part of the proper name. For Frąc it is just an adjective describing the proper name. |
the Dark Lord of Mordor | Czarny Władca Pierścienia | creation | Mroczny Władca Pierścienia | creation | Both translations retain the sense of the original. "Czarny Władca" in spite of sounding as powerful and ominous as "Mroczny Władca" does not carry the same amount of viciousness. Moreover, the adjective "Czarny" (just like in the case of Gandalf the Grey" may be associated more with the color of his armour than with the nature of the bearer. |
Wormtongue | Gadzi Język | creation | Robaczywy Język | semantic preservation | Maria Skibniewska opted for preserving the old English meaning of "worm" (reptile) and therefore chose "Gadzi" wherein the impure intentions of the bearer were underlined. Frąc decided to render the proper name as "Robaczywy" to highlight the nature of the character who was a morally corrupted man and a bad advisor. |
Hornburg | Rogaty Gród | semantic preservation | Rogaty Kasztel | semantic preservation | "Gród" is a better choice since Hornburg was a fortified fortress. "Kasztel" refers to a small, wooden castle
and fails to properly describe Hornburg. |
the Black Gate of the Land of Mordor | Czarne Wrota Mordoru | omission | Czarna Brama Krainy Mordoru | semantic preservation | Even though Skibniewska omitted "the Land" in her translation, it is still a justifiable choice as it sounds more natural than the word-for-word translation provided by Frąc. |
White Mountains of Ered Nimrais | Białe Góry | omission | Góry Białe | omission | Both translations are correct, although in Polish, Frąc's term (name + adjective) is more common in reference to mountains. |
Great Gate | Wielkie Wrota | semantic preservation | Wielka Brama | semantic preservation | Both translations are correct. It is worth stressing that M. and C.Frąc are more consistent as they use the term "Wrota" throughout the series while M. Skibniewska switches from "Brama" to "Wrota". |
the Stones | Kryształy jasnowidzenia | addition | Kryształy Widzenia | addition | There is no doubt that it is about the Palantirs, but both translators found it necessary to add an adjective with the exception that Frąc added the adjective as an integral part to the proper name. |
Court of the Fountain | Plac Wodotrysku | semantic preservation | Plac Fontanny | semantic preservation | M. and C. Frąc's translation sounds more natural, although the fact that "Court" was rendered as "Plac" not as "Dziedziniec" seems surprising. |
Gandalf Stormcrow | Gandalf, kruk złych wieści | creation | Gandalf Wieszczący Burzę | creation | A significant difference in meaning. Skibniewska's translation puts the allegory of the bird (crow) to the forefront whilst M. and C. Frąc emphasis the role of the character as a teaser. |
Fell Riders | Okrutni Jeźdźcy | semantic preservation | Upiorni Jeźdźcy | creation | The word "Fell" is used in the ST as an adjective - "fell" meaning fierce, dreadful, savage. Maria Skibniewska's translation seems to better reflect the nature of the word. |
the Enemy | Nieprzyjaciel | semantic preservation | Wróg | semantic preservation | Both translations may seem to be synonymous, however, the term "Nieprzyjaciel" is more dated and carries biblical references which makes it more suited to the legend-styled text. |
Forlong the Fat | Forlong Gruby | semantic preservation | Forlong Tłuścioch | semantic preservation | Since the word "Fat" is used in the ST as the title of the prince of Gondor, the adjective "Gruby" is more appropriate. The rulers' nicknames were based on their traits and were not humorous or humiliating as in the case of "Tłuścioch". |
Paths of the Dead | Ścieżka Umarłych | creation | Ścieżki Umarłych | semantic preservation | Frąc's translation kept in plural seems to be more faithful to the ST (Aragorn and his companions chose one of those Paths). |
Deeping-coomb | Zielona Roztoka | creation | Helmowa Roztoka | creation | Both translations are creative and refer to the valley. Skibniewska emphasizes the dense vegetation of the valley, whilst M. and C. Frąc make reference to King Helm, who fought and died in the fortress located in the valley. |
the Lady of the Wood | Piękna Pani ze Złotego Lasu | addition | Pani Lasu | semantic preservation | Skibniewska comes up with a more creative translation referring to the character's dwelling. M. and C. Frąc remain faithful to the original. |
Sleepless Dead | Umarli, co nie zaznali spoczynku | creation | Umarli, którzy nie zaznali spoczynku | creation | Both translators decided to render the word "Sleepless" descriptively as "Bezsenny" bears no connotations with the dead in Polish. |
Tarlang's Neck | Ostroga Tarlanga | semantic preservation | Przesmyk Tarlanga | semantic preservation | Synonymous terms, however, "Ostroga" is more old-fashioned. |
Hold of Dunharrow | Warownia Dunharrow | semantic preservation | warownia Dunharrow | semantic preservation | M. and C. Frąc changed the nature of the expression by turning part of it into a common noun. |
Swarthy Men | Dzicy Ludzie | creation | Ciemnolicy | semantic preservation | Skibniewska's translation is to some extent inaccurate as not all of the Swarthy Men were wild ("Dzicy"). |
Eastfold | Wschodnia Bruzda | semantic preservation | wschód królestwa | creation | Eastfold is a specific geographic land in the east of Rohan therefore omitting its original name in the translation seems unfounded. |
Entwash | Rzeka Entów | semantic preservation | rzeka Entwash | addition | M. and C. Frąc's translation is misconceived as "Entwash" means the river of the Ents. By adding "rzeka" to "Entwash" they created a pleonasm. |
the Prince of the Halflings | Książę Niziołków | semantic preservation | książę niziołków | semantic preservation | There was no reason for Frąc to change the proper name into a common name. |
Elder Race | starsi bracia rodzaju ludzkiego | creation | Stara Rasa | semantic preservation | Skibniewska decided to render the term descriptively by comparing the Elder Race to the human race. Frąc changed the nature of the word by choosing "Stara" over "Starsza" (comparative form of the adjective). |
the Lord of the City | Władca | omission | Władca Miasta | semantic preservation | Skibniewska's omission can by justified by the context from which it is clear within what boundaries the Lord wields power. |
Lord of the Nazguls | Wódz Nazgulów | semantic preservation | Wódz Nazguli | semantic preservation | Inflectional difference. |
House of Stewards | dynastia Namiestników | semantic preservation | ród | omission | M. and C. Frąc opted for omitting the name of the House, however, it does not affect the reader's understanding of the text due to the complex context. |
- ↑ Hughes, H.G.A. (2008-03-28). "The Oxford Concise Dictionary of Linguistics (2nd ed.)2008127P.H. Matthews. The Oxford Concise Dictionary of Linguistics (2nd ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press 2007. xiii+443 pp., ISBN: 978 0 19 920272 0 £10.99; $18.95 Oxford Paperback Reference". Reference Reviews 22 (3): 36–36. doi:10.1108/09504120810859837. ISSN 0950-4125. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/09504120810859837.
- ↑ Zabeeh, Farhang (1968). What is in a Name?. Dordrecht: Springer Netherlands. pp. 1–8. ISBN 978-94-015-0452-2. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-94-015-1094-3_1.
- ↑ Ibidem.
- ↑ Mill, John Stuart (1843). A system of logic, ratiocinative and inductive : being a connected view of the principles of evidence, and methods of scientific investigation. London: J. W. Parker. p. 41.
- ↑ Newmark, P. 1981. Approaches to Translation. Polytechnic of Central London, Pergamon Press, p. 59.
- ↑ Translating Expressive Language in Children’s Literature. Peter Lang. ISBN 978-3-0343-0796-3. http://dx.doi.org/10.3726/978-3-0353-0271-4/6.
- ↑ Hue, Hoang Thi; Nguyen, Nguyen Hoang (2019-10-22). "The Preservation of Culture-Specific Items in Translation from Vietnamese to English". Global Research in Higher Education 2 (4): p115. doi:10.22158/grhe.v2n4p115. ISSN 2576-1951. http://dx.doi.org/10.22158/grhe.v2n4p115.
- ↑ "Translations of The Lord of the Rings". Wikipedia. 2021-05-12. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Translations_of_The_Lord_of_the_Rings&oldid=1022818061.