Further explanation/context when translating organisation name Auteur du fil: soniatses
| soniatses Local time: 11:11 russe vers anglais + ...
An organisation called "Open Russia" is mentioned in a long-read article I'm translating (Russian to English), and I'm wondering whether I should provide further context around what the organisation's all about? It's only a passing mention, the org is not at all a focus of this article or even this paragraph, but I feel that a few words in brackets explaining what Open Russia is may be useful to the English reader? Does anyone have any advice on providing context in a translation (b... See more An organisation called "Open Russia" is mentioned in a long-read article I'm translating (Russian to English), and I'm wondering whether I should provide further context around what the organisation's all about? It's only a passing mention, the org is not at all a focus of this article or even this paragraph, but I feel that a few words in brackets explaining what Open Russia is may be useful to the English reader? Does anyone have any advice on providing context in a translation (both in this particular instance and more generally)? Thank you! ▲ Collapse | | | Names of organisation and translation | Feb 22, 2021 |
The general "rule" is not to change the name of an organisation. It is a proper noun, registered officially somewhere and the means by which the organisation is recognised, as are its legal rights and obligations. Some exceptions include huge organisations that have recognised versions of their name in other languages (United Nations, World Health Organisation, etc.). I don't understand why you say in the title that you are translating the name "Open Russia" into English as it is already in Eng... See more The general "rule" is not to change the name of an organisation. It is a proper noun, registered officially somewhere and the means by which the organisation is recognised, as are its legal rights and obligations. Some exceptions include huge organisations that have recognised versions of their name in other languages (United Nations, World Health Organisation, etc.). I don't understand why you say in the title that you are translating the name "Open Russia" into English as it is already in English. However, in your post, you say that Open Russia is just mentionned and that you wonder whether you should add a note to say what it is about. I would suggest you might ask your client and explain why you think it might be helpful. I suppose it depends on the target reader. If the context does not indicate how the organisation fits in, then it might be helpful to add something. You might suggest adding a link to the homepage of the organisation. If the readership is unlikely to understand the relevance of the organisation, then your client is likely to be happy about your suggestion. If it is not critical, most who are interested will simply do as I did and a quick websearch gives a number of hits going into varying amounts of detail. ▲ Collapse | | | | Marjolein Snippe Pays-Bas Local time: 12:11 Membre (2012) anglais vers néerlandais + ... one- or two-word explanation | Feb 23, 2021 |
I sometimes include a one- or two word description of a term that may be unknown in the target language (a tax number or professional registration number for instance); perhaps using something like "the political organisation "Open Russia" " might work here? That way it does not disturb the flow of the text while making it clear to the reader what kind of entity this is. | |
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Text source is "sacred" but... | Feb 23, 2021 |
If I may take part of this interesting thread and bring my humble opinion, I always have been tought that text source must be "sacred" and kept "untouched" at any price. But despite this golden rule in translation, you always may point out your client the fact that a proper noun in the text source deserves to be further explained, for example by flagging a short footnote or endnote if allowed by the target format of the text.
[Modifié le 2021-02-23 10:16 GMT] | | | Adieu ukrainien vers anglais + ... Own webpages or wikipedia | Feb 23, 2021 |
Often help when translating Russian organization names. In this specific case, their English name says it all anyway, imho. You could add "political organization", but I wouldn't go much further.
[Edited at 2021-02-23 10:37 GMT] | | | Samuel Murray Pays-Bas Local time: 12:11 Membre (2006) anglais vers afrikaans + ...
soniatses wrote: An organisation called "Open Russia" is mentioned in a long-read article I'm translating (Russian to English), and I'm wondering whether I should provide further context around what the organisation's all about? It's only a passing mention, the org is not at all a focus of this article or even this paragraph, but I feel that a few words in brackets explaining what Open Russia is may be useful to the English reader? If you feel that a reader of the source text would know what Open Russia is but a reader of the target text would not, then you would be justified in giving a short explanation. You have to ask yourself how much information to give, however. E.g. "Open Russia (a civil rights group)". Adieu wrote: In this specific case, their English name says it all anyway, imho. If I hadn't read the Wikipedia article, I would have assumed that "Open Russia" is likely a tourism campaign. The name alone does not say it all.
[Edited at 2021-02-23 10:36 GMT] | | | Adieu ukrainien vers anglais + ...
Laurent DI RAIMONDO wrote: If I may take part of this interesting thread and bring my humble opinion, I always have been tought that text source must be "sacred" and kept "untouched" at any price. [Modifié le 2021-02-23 10:16 GMT] Artistic content....maybe. Although that is surely what footnotes are for. For informative content, though? Not necessarily. Some things require localization. Articles on other main topics that mention local political figures in passing definitely benefit from small additions like "former mayor", "jailed opposition leader", "presidential son-in-law" etc. (when said figures are not the main topic). The same case can be made for organizations. Keep it short and avoid opinions though.
[Edited at 2021-02-23 10:39 GMT] | |
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neilmac Espagne Local time: 12:11 espagnol vers anglais + ...
Samuel Murray wrote: Adieu wrote: In this specific case, their English name says it all anyway, imho. If I hadn't read the Wikipedia article, I would have assumed that "Open Russia" is likely a tourism campaign. The name alone does not say it all. [Edited at 2021-02-23 10:36 GMT] On the other hand, in the light of recent events, I assumed it was some sort of pro-democratic (Navalny) organisation or movement. | | | Include a brief explanation | Mar 1, 2021 |
What I normally do is translate word by word to its target language, and include a brief introduction in footnote. | | | To report site rules violations or get help, contact a site moderator: You can also contact site staff by submitting a support request » Further explanation/context when translating organisation name Wordfast Pro | Translation Memory Software for Any Platform
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