In this globalised world, it’s quite easy to find material in another language. Just last week, I read an article in Spanish. It was about the British Royal Family.
However, when I read it, I was taken aback. Queen Elizabeth II wasn’t referred to as “Queen Elizabeth”. But as “Reina Isabel (II)”. The Spanish translation for Queen Elizabeth. Her son and grandson also had translated names. Instead of it being “Prince Charles” or “Prince William”. It was “Principe Carlos” and “Principe Guillermo”.
This stunned me. As in English media, we never refer to “Rey Felipe” as “King Phillip”. Normally, just “King Felipe of Spain”. Nor his father “Rey Juan Carlos” as “King John Charles”. However, I sat and read an Italian article. On the same subject.
However, the names were kept the same. And not translated. So which language is correct? Should you translate names?
As a general rule, no. Names are usually respected in their own language. However, it is a tradition dating back to the Romans. Names of foreigners would be translated. This has continued with many Romance languages. Henry VIII became Enrique VIII (Spanish). Christopher Columbus became Cristòfor Colom (Catalan).
However, it seems that people born after WWII. Are given their name in their language. Andrés Iniesta (Spanish footballer) is not known as Andrew Iniesta. Nor, Vladimir Putin as Walter Putin.
The same is also true for Companies. Their names aren’t translated. Zara’s parent Company Inditex (Industria Diseño de Textil). Is not translated as Industrial Textile Design. But it is kept the same. The same is also true for Anglophonic companies. They are not translated. However, when they are translated, the original is always used in brackets after the translation. This is to get rid of any confusion.
The same is also true for place names. Whilst some languages translate the name “Paris”. With slight differences. Such as “Pariz”, “Paraz”, or “Parij”. However, this is uncommon. And most languages do not translate place names.
Does English translate names?
However, English also translates some cities. However, this is few and far between. Mainly places in German-speaking countries. Vienna has been altered. Mainly to avoid confusion. In German, Vienna is “Wien” (pronounced ‘Veen’). Munich is also translated. In German, Munich is “München”. However, these are the only (main) ones that are translated.