08-22-2002, 06:01 PM | #1 |
Greatest Elven woman of Aman
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Translations of names
In the Norwegian translation of LoTR, all names are 'translated' as well. Examples: Gandalf -> Gandalv, Shelob -> Hutula, Hobbiton -> Hobsyssel, Bree -> Bri. It seems pretty pointless to me, and I find it annoying.
However, some guy in another forum said Tolkien wanted the names to be translated. But he couldn't come up with any arguments in favour of his view. Do any of you know whether he's right/wrong? If you've read LoTR in other languages, are the names translated there?
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08-22-2002, 08:49 PM | #2 | |
Elf Lord
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The Tolkien Letters yields some good answers. In letter # 190 Tolkien was responding to the Foreign Rights Department of Allen & Unwin concerning a list of Dutch versions of place-names in the Lord of the Rings made by the translator:
Quote:
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08-23-2002, 04:47 AM | #3 |
Greatest Elven woman of Aman
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Ah, good old JRRT.
Bah, bad translator. And I'll knock the other guy. Thanx.
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08-23-2002, 12:52 PM | #4 |
Elven Warrior
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This isn't the complet answer (sorry Ñólendil). In the end tolkien made even a list of names were he marked which he would wish to be translated and in which way and which names the translator should let alone.
It was posthumesly published (but I cna't remeber were) and the Editor wrote about it, that it was written after the Dutch and Swedish version of The Lord of Rings were pudlished. It is especial made for a translation to German, but that does not infact matter in this case. It is named Guid to the Names in The Lord of the Rings. Respectfully Findegil |
08-23-2002, 08:08 PM | #5 |
Elf Lord
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Always nice to have you around and about, Findegil
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08-23-2002, 11:10 PM | #6 |
Elf Lord
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In the Spanish version of the hobbit:
Baggins = Bolsin (well, that's the phonetic equivalent) Took = Tuk And the dwarves poems and such were changed.
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08-24-2002, 12:41 PM | #7 |
Sapling
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In Sweden:
Bree - Bri Baggins - Bagger Hobbiton - Hobsala The Shire - Fylke Rosie Cotton - Rosa Kattun Gamgee - Gamgi Hobbit - Hob I prefer reading in english, because the swedish language really sucks in perilous or actionfilled moments. |
08-25-2002, 02:26 PM | #8 |
Greatest Elven woman of Aman
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Welcome to the moot, my good neighbour Arkmam!
Yes, books should always be read in the author's original language, if possible.
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08-26-2002, 05:56 PM | #9 |
The Chocoholic Sea Elf Administrator
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In Dutch:
Gollum:Gollem Bree: Breeg Baggins: Ballings Gamgee: Gewissies Hobbiton: Hobbitstee The Shire: de Gouw Rosie Cotton: Roosje Katoen Pippin Took: Pepijn Toek Merry Brandybuck: Merijn Brandebok It was kind of confusing reading first the Dutch and then the English edition. But I agree Artanis, books should be read in author's original language as much as possible. Still, I think the Dutch translations are pretty acceptable and I understand why they did it. Most of the names are translated litterally. I only wonder why they had to translate Baggins. Ballings doesn't sound any more like an ordinary Dutch name than Baggins does and it confused me at first because 'balling' is the Dutch word for an exile.
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08-27-2002, 11:24 AM | #10 |
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Are there anymore out there? These are fascinating!
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08-27-2002, 03:02 PM | #11 |
Greatest Elven woman of Aman
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OK, here's more from Norway:
Baggins - Lommelun Samwise Gamgee - Samvis Gamgod Took - Tok Meriadoc (Merry) - Muntiadok (Munti) Brandybuck - Brennibukk Rosie Cotton - Rosi Småtun Maggot - Åmeng Strider - Vidvandre Shadowfax - Skuggfaks Goldberry - Marigull Fatty Bolger - Bolla Buttel Barliman Butterbur - Byggelmann Balderbrå Isengard - Jarnagard Shire - Hobsyssel Brandywine - Brennvina Rivendell - Kløvendal Bag End - Lommekroken Mirkwood - Myrkskog ... and there is more.
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08-27-2002, 06:21 PM | #12 |
The Rogue Elf
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I think names of people and places should remain the same. It's just annoying to change those.
Last edited by Rána Eressëa : 08-27-2002 at 06:23 PM. |
08-28-2002, 09:10 AM | #13 |
The Chocoholic Sea Elf Administrator
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Oh I forgot:
Mirkwood: Demsterwold That was one of the best translations I thought. It fits so good. I even tend to prefer it over Mirkwood. *ducks as assorted mooters start throwing things*
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08-28-2002, 09:20 AM | #14 |
Elven Warrior
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GASP
That's okay....Demsterwold does have a certain ring to it. My personal favorite is Byggelmann Balderbrå....though Shadowfax as Skuggfaks is rather interesting.
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