Speaking names in translation_2013_st

Proper names play an important role in a literary work. They point to the setting, social status and nationality of characters. The names containing in their stems components of common nouns and of other parts of speech can, along with their nominal function, carry out the function of characterizing a person or a place. In general, these names are referred to in the literature as charactonyms (e.g., Dickens’s “Miss Havisham”, whose life is a “sham”) that express some quality or feature of their bearer, either through their complete form (e.g. “Wasp”) or part of their signifier (e.g. “Jack the Ripper”).

One of the usual features of proper nouns in English literary works (and in many other languages) is a high degree of expressivity and creativity, which is achieved through a number of word-formation mechanisms, such as compounding (e.g. “Spiderman”) and derivation (e.g. “She-Hulk”, “Spidey”), in addition to other stylistic resources, such as alliteration (e.g. “Silver Surfer”) and onomatopoeia (e.g. “Zzzax”). English appears to be an especially apt language to achieve these effects thanks to the variety of word-formation processes available, which lead to highly expressive results, often difficult to obtain in other languages, such as Ukrainian. In fact, it is the highly descriptive character of such proper names that represents the greatest challenge for translators, because through a number of word-formation mechanisms the source text has managed to create a constellation of meanings that are part of the perception of the character, which may be difficult to convey in the target language. The connotative aspects may be more important in interpreting the fictive character than the actual denotative meaning, especially if the connotation arouses specific feelings or relevant knowledge, which often is culture-specific.

The translation strategy is, naturally, context-specific and dependent on various things: the nature of the work in question, its target audience as well as the fictive names’ functions and role in the narrative. Translator can use a case-specific method, combining different strategies based on the particular situation and context. Whichever strategy the translator decides to implement, it will in one way or another influence how the name functions in the TT. Opting for non-translation might alienate TL readers or diminish reading pleasure, if the name is too foreign or too difficult to read. Moreover, not translating a name with specific (semantic, phonetic) connotations, for instance about personality or profession of the fictive person, may impair the TT reader’s understanding of the character, give a wrong impression of the fictive person or change the intended effect of the name. Also the joy of discovering the hidden meanings will be lost. In such cases the functions of the name in the TT will be reduced, in comparison with the ST. In contrast, when the name is translated, it may gain additional functions or change altogether, if the translator brings to fore such features of the name that highlight one aspect at the expense of others, for instance emphasizing the humorous elements in a character’s name or adding connotations that are not there in the original. In such cases the characterization of the fictive person can change drastically, possibly confusing the TT reader with its incongruity.

Nevertheless, one of the central reasons for translating a name can be to retain its connotations also in the TT. Thus, both translation and non-translation may cause unwanted changes in the name’s functioning.

In general, fictive names coined by the author are quite often translated, especially when they are semantically transparent and important for the interpretation of the story. Furthermore, as concerns literary names with specific connotations, it is common practice to reproduce that connotation in the target language. In such cases, the functions are preserved: in principle the names retain the same denotation and connotation; they evoke the same image and aim to produce the same humorous or emotional effect. The crucial point is that the translator must first understand the meaning behind the name, or even recognize that there is meaning to be translated, and then consider how to express it in the TT.

The possible strategies to render speaking names or charactonyms are as follows:

1) Charactonyms may be rendered by means of transcription or transliteration as proper names are traditionally rendered, but in this case fictive names lose the implication which they carry in the original, e.g.: Mrs. Sharp – місіс Шарп (W. M. Thackeray); Scrooge – Скрудж (Ch. Dickens), etc. Though, this technique is faithful for allusive proper name, e.g.: Minerva – Мінерва.

According to the investigations of the famous linguists, charactonyms in well-known, must-read works are rarely translated, as these works are treated as something sacred (for example, Don Quixote, Sancho Panza, Gargantua, Pantagruel are meaningful as well, though their national, common to all human beings nature is more important than their evaluative, expressive and connotative power);

2) Translating a name into the target language, e.g.: Mrs. Snake – місіс Гадюка; Captain Fox – капітан Лис;

3) Translating the meaningful stem of a proper name. Note should be taken to the origin and national belonging of a proper name: a name in translation should sound naturally and reflect the national belongings, e.g.: village Mouthville – село Мишвіль, Глупов – Foolov, Младенцев - Infantov, lord Chatterino – лорд Балаболо.

4) Translation with the occasional equivalent, that is, with a word registered as not a direct equivalent of the meaningful element, but which reflects the same characteristics and may have a similar emotional effect the name had on the SL reader, e.g.: the Borrowsses - Боргінси; Стрелецкая слобода – Musketeers district, Mr. Helps – Містер Благг.

Often it is not possible to transfer all connotative meanings of charactonyms from SL to TL due to differences between the languages, as there is no total similarity or equivalence between the two. As in any instance of translation, each translator’s choices about the translating of connotations rest upon their own frames of reference, the total sum of their knowledge, experiences, ideas, norms and values as well as their skill in and understanding of the source and target languages and cultures.

Task1: Analyze the semantics and the structure of the following proper names. How can they characterize their bearer? Think about your own possible Ukrainian equivalents for these speaking names

Lidia Languish; Grace Wellborn; Adam Overdo; Mr Badman; Wiseman; Lady Teasle; May B. Dunn; Stiffneck; Captain Grimes; Earl E. Bird; Justin Thyme; Mr. Carefree; Mr. Weller.

Task2: Analyze the semantics and the structure of the following proper names from English literature and single out the meaningful stem. Suggest the Ukrainian speaking names equivalents, taking into account the hints in the brackets

(From W.M.Thackeray)

1. Mr. Briefless (a barrister)

2. Sir Thomas Coffin, (a celebrated hanging judge)

3. Mr. Bawler (a minister of the Darbyites)

4. Mr. Hammerdown (an auctioneer)

5. Mrs. Highflyer (a social climber)

6. Lady Slingstone (a notorious gossiper)

7. Madame de Belladonna (a quite deadly woman)

8. Lord Steyne (ugly and depraved)

9. Bowser (an officer, drinking a lot)

10. Polly Pattens (a servant)

11. Colonel Charrteis (a very strict officer)

(From Ch. Dickens)

1. Mr. Weller (a very successful man, he always said “well”)

2. Artful Dodger (the most successful thief)

3. Leo Hunter (she is looking for the famous people)

4. Miss Wietherfield (a very dull and unattractive woman)

5. Mr. Grummer (always grumbling policeman)

6. Mr. Pockeham (very fat)

7. Mr. Dedlock (a lawyer)

8. Caddy Jellyby (feels ashamed of her "lack of manners")

9. Mr. Krook (A grotesque old man who owns a rag-and-bottle shop)

10. William Guppy (a law clerk)

(from A. Chekhow)

1. Поліцейський Очумєлов

2. Цирульник Макар Бльосткін

3. Вчитель Ахінєєв

4. Ревізор Єгор Мзда

5. Музикант Муркін

(from M. Saltykov-Shchedrin)

1. Ераст Грустілов

2. Угрюм-Бурчєєв

3. Іван Нєгодяєв

4. Іван Великанов

5. Младєнцев

6. м. Глупов

7. с. Голодаївка

8. пригород Полуумнов

Task3: In every sentence analyze the structure, semantics and function of the proper names. Translate the sentences, preserving the connotations of the speaking names. Explain the technique you applied

1. None of the great Italian spoon-makers were born till the eleventh century, till then, my dear, the spoons made were only good for eating with - and then the great spoon-maker - Charles! what was that great Italian spoon-maker's name - Spoonuchi! of course, how silly of me! - Spoonuchi made spoons that couldn't be eaten with, and of course that started the craze....

2. What, I asked in my own mind, can cause this obsequiousness on the part of Miss Toady; has Briefless got a county court, or has his wife had a fortune left her? Miss Toady explained presently, with that simplicity which distinguishes all her conduct. "You know," she said, "Mrs.Briefless is granddaughter of Sir John Redhand, who is so ill at Cheltenham that he can't last six months. Mrs. Briefless's papa succeeds; so you see she will be a baronet's daughter." And Toady asked Briefless and his wife to dinner the very next week.

3. At five o'clock Mr. Osborne came back to his dinner, which he and his daughter took in silence (seldom broken, except when he swore and was savage, if the cooking was not to his liking), or which they shared twice in a month with a party of dismal friends of Osborne's rank and age. Old Dr. Gulp and his lady from Bloomsbury Square; old Mr. Frowser, the attorney, from Bedford Row, a very great man, and from his business, hand-in-glove with the "nobs at the West End"; old Colonel Livermore, of the Bombay Army, and Mrs. Livermore, from Upper Bedford Place; old Sergeant Toffy and Mrs. Toffy; and sometimes old Sir Thomas Coffin and Lady Coffin, from Bedford Square. Sir Thomas was celebrated as a hanging judge, and the particular tawny port was produced when he dined with Mr. Osborne.

4. When Becky left Brussels, the sad truth is that she owed three months' pension to Madame de Borodino, of which fact, and of the gambling, and of the drinking, and of the going down on her knees to the Reverend Mr. Muff, Ministre Anglican, and borrowing money of him, and of her coaxing and flirting with Milor Noodle, son of Sir Noodle, pupil of the Rev. Mr. Muff, whom she used to take into her private room, and of whom she won large sums at ecarte - of which fact, I say, and of a hundred of her other knaveries.

5. And though I believe in her heart Mrs. Whiskerington is fonder of us than of her cousins, the Smigsmags, you should hear how she goes on prattling about Lady Smigsmag,—and 'I said to Sir John, my dear John;' and about the Smigsmags' house and parties in Hyde Park Terrace.

6. The beggars of her neighbourhood avoid Miss Scraper like a pestilence; for while she walks out, protected by John, that domestic has always two or three mendicity tickets ready for deserving objects. Ten guineas a year will pay all her charities. There is no respectable lady in all London who gets her name more often printed for such a sum of money.

7. When Miss Snobky was so very young as to be in the nursery regions, and to walk off early mornings in St. James's Park, protected by a French governess and followed by a huge hirsute flunkey in the canary coloured livery of the Snobkys, she used occasionally in these promenades to meet with young Lord Claude Lollipop, the Marquis of Sillabub's younger son.

8. Jack Tufthunt, for example, knows one Lord whom he met at a watering-place: old Lord Mumble, who is as toothless as a three-months-old baby, and as mum as an undertaker, and as dull as—well, we will not particularise.

9. My sister was engaged to Serjeant Shirker—a fellow whose talents one cannot deny, and be hanged to them, but whom I have always known to be mean, selfish, and a prig. However, women don't see these faults in the men whom Love throws in their way. Shirker, who has about as much warmth as an eel, made up to Polly years and years ago, and was no bad match for a briefless barrister, as he was then.

10. Many persons who let lodgings in Brighton have been servants themselves - are retired housekeepers, tradesfolk and the like. With these surrounding individuals Hannah treated on a footing of equality, bringing to her mistress accounts of their various goings on; "how No. 6 was let; how No. 9 had not paid his rent again; how the first floor at 27 had game almost every day, and made-dishes from Muttons; how the family who had taken Mrs. Bugsby's had left as usual after the very first night, the poor little infant blistered all over with bites on its dear little face;… how Mrs Cribb still went cuttn' pounds and pounds of meat off the lodgers' jints, emptying their tea-caddies, actually reading their letters.

11. Leaphigh was by no means the only country in the elder monikin region. There were among others, for instance, Leapup and Leapdown; Leapover and Leapthrough; Leaplong and Leapshort; Leapround and Leapunder.

12. I am a citizen of Leaplow, a great and a glorious republic that lies three days' sail from this island; a new nation, which is in the enjoyment of all the advantages of youth and vigor, and which is a perfect miracle for the boldness of its conceptions, the purity of its institutions, and its sacred respect for the rights of monikins.

13. "I am happy to be admitted to the honor of this formal introduction, Sir John. In return I beg you will suffer me to say that this young nobleman is Lord Chatterino. This young lady is Lady Chatterissa. This excellent and prudent matron is Mistress Vigilance Lynx; and that I am Dr. Reasono, to give you a literal signification of my name - a poor disciple of the philosophers of our race, the travelling tutor of this heir of one of the most illustrious and the most ancient houses of the island of Leaphigh".

14. I do not remember that Mrs. Vigilance, during the whole period of our acquaintance, was particularly squeamish, or topping in her deportment. Indeed, I can only compare her deportment to that of a female of our own, who is so full of vanity as to fancy all eyes on her, and who gives herself airs about a dog or a spider, because she thinks they make her look so much the more interesting.

15. Soon after I received from Dr. Reasono a protocol of the conditions that were to regulate the approaching interview. This document was written in Latin, out of respect to the ancients, and as I afterwards understood, it was drawn up by my Lord Chatterino, who had been educated for the diplomatic career at home.

Task4: Translate the text from, preserving the satirical function of the speaking names.

Has not everybody who has lived abroad met Captain Raff? But still more loathsome and dangerous than he is frequent on the continent of Europe - captain Legg. Captain Legg is a gentleman, like Raff, though perhaps of a better degree. He has robbed his family too, but of a great deal more, and has boldly dishonoured bills for thousands, where Raff has been boggling over the clumsy conveyance of a ten-pound note. Legg is always at the best inn, with the finest waistcoats and moustaches, or tearing about in the flashest of britzkas, while poor Raff is tipsifying himself with spirits, and smoking cheap tobacco. It is amazing to think that Legg, so often shown up, and known everywhere, is flourishing yet. There is many a young fellow of the middle classes who must know Legg to be a rogue and a cheat; and yet from his desire to be in the fashion, and his admiration of tip-top swells, and from his ambition to air himself by the side of a Lord's son, will let Legg make an income out of him; content to pay, so long as he can enjoy that society. Legg and his friend, Major Macer, make professional tours through Europe, and are to be found at the right places at the right time. Last year I heard how my young acquaintance, Mr. Muff, from Oxford, going to see a little life at a Carnival ball at Paris, was accosted by an Englishman who did not know a word of the d___language, and hearing Muff speak it so admirably, begged him to interpret to a waiter with whom there was a dispute about refreshments. It was quite a comfort, the stranger said, to see an honest English face; and did Muff know where there was a good place for supper? So those two went to supper, and who should come in, of all men in the world, but Major Macer? And so Legg introduced Macer, and so there came on a little intimacy, and three-card loo, etc. & etc.. Year after year scores of Muffs, in various places in the world, are victimised by Legg and Macer.

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