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

The 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

Definition

Proper 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. 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. 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.

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. 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.

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

Hejwowski 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

A 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. 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:

A continuum between foreignization and domestication

Preservation

Preservation 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.

Addition

Addition 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

Omission 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

Globalization 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

Localization 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

Creation 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

The 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.

Tolkien divides the group of proper names including into the following categories:

1. those that should be translated into native equivalents (e.g. Appledore - an old name for an apple tree)
2. 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).
3. 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
4. those that should be let unchanged (e.g. Gambling, Shadowfax, Wormtongue - surnames found in Rohan).
5. those translated by sense (e.g. Goldberry).

Translation of Proper Names in LOTR

Original	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.