re Translation WAS Re: Dumbledore's Motives

[ellen_fremedon]

No: HPFGUIDX 40999

Bboy_MN said:

...no matter where the man goes, his 
> name is still Albus Dumbledore.
> >  
> >  ...and yes, I am aware that I am still being a jerk about this, but
> > peoples names are never translated.

and Ali replied:  

> I disagree with you. Names are often translated.

<snip RL examples>

...Once reading the 
> Potterverse, it became obvious to me (and huge numbers of other fans) 
> that some of the names carried meaning. This understanding would be 
> lost to readers of a foreign translation, and they would miss one of 
> the rich layers of the Potterverse, if the names were not translated.


I also have to disagree, Bboy_MN.  Translating names in fiction is not 
done that often (anymore;  older English translations of French and 
Russian novels frequently Anglicize the characters' names).  And for 
good reason;  names are very difficult to translate so that they carry 
the same connotations in the new language as in the original.  But 
there is good reason for translating names when those names have 
meanings that would otherwise be lost in translation-- and precedent 
for it:  Tolkien wrote a lengthy essay for translators of his work, 
detailing the derivation of all non-Elvish names and giving suggested 
calques.  

Ellen

Mod note:  This thread is drifting off-topic.  Posts not specifically discussing the meaning of canon character names should go to OT-Chatter, please