XXVI Международный конкурс научно-исследовательских и творческих работ учащихся

Старт в науке

Перевод англоговорящих имен в детской юмористической литературе (на основе цикла рассказов Франчески Саймон «Ужасный Генри»)

• Авторы
• Руководители
• Файлы работы
• Наградные документы

Мирошниченко А.А. 1

---

1МАОУ СОШ №213 "Открытие"

Юсупова Н.А. 1

---

1МАОУ СОШ №213 «Открытие»

Работа в формате PDF

3.1 MB

Автор работы награжден дипломом победителя I степени

Диплом школьникаСвидетельство руководителя

Introduction

The paper work deals with the quality of translation of characterizing nicknames (charactonyms) and realities in English children's comic literature. The work also presents various ways of translating of books for children and highlights the types of characterizing nicknames. The results of stylistic findings and failures in the translation of nicknames and realities are reflected in the text of the work.

Translating proper names has always been great challenge, especially since numerous literary works feature proper names are difficult to translate, or even seem to be untranslatable. This is due to the fact that proper names in fictional literature are solely dependent on their author’s invention and imagination, their etymology is closely linked to the features of the author’s language, and they are either derived from the culture of the community of the country where they are conceived or their origins can be traced back to very exotic cultures. Moreover, their choice is not only a matter of the author’s taste, but can be vital to the way the reader sees the world depicted and the characters.

Literary comic works require non-standard solutions when translating because they need to preserve not only the meaning but also the stylistic colouring. The subject of this research is modern English comic literature for children. The quality of translation of such literature deserves special attention as it has a very demanding reader. Humorous stories about children by F. Simon translated by N. Koncha and M. Melnichenko were used as an illustrative corpus.

The aim of this paper isto present translation techniques in the literary translation of proper names from English into Russian and to determine which method of translation is used most often.

In order to fulfill the goal of the research the following steps should be completed:

• to study different types of translation of proper names;

• to study and analyze translation techniques in children`s literature «Horrid Henry» of F. Simon;

• to present the results of our translation of proper names.

The paper analyses proper names which occur in literature for children.

We analyzed the definitions and features of characterizing nickname (charactonyms) basing a number of theoretical works on the question of translation and anthroponomy. To achieve this goal, we used the method of continuous sampling of examples to select an illustrative corpus, the method of observation and interpretation, as well as elements of lexical and semantic analysis were used to analyze the material for the paper work.

1. 1. METHODS OF TRANSLATION OF PROPER NAMES

Speaking names are among the oldest stylistic devices in literature. Many writers and artists knew that surnames were associated with the peculiarities of life or character among readers and viewers. In the process of artistic translation, it may seem that “the translation of names does not cause difficulties at first glance. Even this translation is called conditional action: usually nouns with nouns are transcribed (transliterated), in other words, their pronunciation is written using the alphabet system of the translating language”

In the translation of works of art, the translation of exactly the same “speaking” names imposes certain difficulties on the translator. Because “speaking” names are used by writers of different peoples, usually in comic (satirical and humorous) works, and serve to express the character of the hero. A “speaking” name, a “meaningful” name is a type of literary name. A semantically transparent name created by the author to describe a nominative object, emphasize or exaggerate its qualities, purpose.

There are four principles of translation of proper names, including: transcription, transliteration, approximate (descriptive) translation, usage of semantic neologism, loan translation (calque). Here are some examples of the use of these translation techniques.

Transcription

This is the method, according to which the foreign proper name corresponds to such word in the target language, that reproduces its sounding with maximal accuracy, that only could be achieved in the target language.

Isaac Newton- Исаак Ньютон

Richard -Ричард

Linda – Линда

Сфинкс – Sphinx.

Transliteration

This method provides “letter-by-letter” transfer of proper names, recorded by means of graphical system of original language, to another form of record by means of graphical system of target language.

Дерек Ратклифф- Derek Ratcliffe

Зог-Zog

Гупи – Guppy.

Loan translation (calque)

In linguistics, a calque or loan translation is a word or phrase borrowed from another language by literal word-for-word or root-for-root translation. When used as a verb, "to calque" means to borrow a word or phrase from another language while translating its components, so as to create a new lexeme in the target language. Loan translation is the most common method of translation. It`s the most effective technique for transferring the internal image of the characters' name by replacing its correspondence in English.

Седой - The Silver Whee

Хромой – Lame

Кабан – Boar

Ведьма – Witch

Гвоздь – Nail

Щепка – Splint

Горбач – Humpback

Зануда – Whiner

Loan translation as a translation method was the basis for a lot of different kinds of borrowing in Intercultural communication in cases when transliteration was unacceptable for aesthetic, semantic or other reasons.

Approximate (descriptive) translation

This method is used when none of the word vocabulary matches the context or no other techniques can be used. Approximate translation is a complex transformation which is used to explain the meaning of source language units, often with the help of different target language units. For example, a word may be translated as a word-combination or vice versa.

Sour Susan- Скучная Сьюзан

Clever Clare-Классная Клэр

A semantic neologism

is a new, coined word or phrase constructed or invented to assign a name to a new reality. Neologisms can be defined as newly coined lexical units or existing lexical units that acquire a new sense. Neologisms became more and more popular when translators could not choose a suitable equivalent for translation,

Anxious Andrew- НервныйНик

Fiona-Вера

Singing Soraya-Музыкальная Мунира.

On the other hand, translators tried to find an appropriate proper name to keep a wordplay or rhyme.

Taking into consideration all these techniques, we analyzed the nicknames (charactonyms) on the question of translation technique. To achieve this goal, we used the method of continuous sampling (методсплошнойвыборки) of examples to select an illustrative corpus, the method of observation and interpretation, as well as elements of lexical and semantic analysis were used to analyze the material for the paper work.

2.1.COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE TRANSLATIONS OF PROPER NAMES IN CHILDREN`S COMIC LITERATURE «HORRID HENRY» BY F. SIMON

The analysis of the examples selected from the books «Horrid Henry» is presented below. In modern satirical or humorous literature characterizing nicknames reveal the internal structure quite easily. They serve to characterize the heroes or to achieve a comic or eccentric effect.

In humorous short stories of F. Simon we have found the next translation techniques:

1. Transcription

2. Transliteration

3. Loan translation (calque)

4. Approximate translation

5. Neologisms

In her humorous short stories F. Simon prefers using equicentric charactonyms to describe the character and give a cheerful tone to the text. Besides, the writer uses the alliteration technique to give the nickname a special melodic effect and set the reader up for a cheerful mood: 

Anxious Andrew,

Goody-Goody Gordon,

Spotless Sam.

To translate the anthroponymic components in charactonyms a transcription method was used: 

Moody Margaret – Мрачная Маргарет;

Lazy Linda – Ленивая Линда;

Rude Ralf – Резкий Ральф.

As for the common elements of names in the stories about Horrid Henry, the translators were to find the correspondences to convey the emotional tone of the English equivalent to the same extent so that the comic effect would not be lost. At the same time there was a difficulty to preserve the alliteration in charactonyms as it was also important in creating the same effect:

Lazy Linda - Ленивая Линда;

Pimply Paul – Прыщавый Пол;

Stuck-upSteve - Самодовольный Стив.

There were no difficulties in translating those charactonyms because the English common elements had the Russian equivalents beginning with the same letter.

If there was not possible to find a Russian equivalent to an English adjective that was a common noun component, a close word to the original adjective was chosen: 

Perfect Peter – Послушный Питер

In Russian dictionaries one can find the meaning of the word perfect as идеальный, безукоризненный, совершенный. But the initial letter of the anthroponymic element does not coincide in Russian variants. To preserve alliteration, the word послушный (obedient) was chosen although, it would be better to use the translation of that charactonym as Правильный Питер or Паинька Питер (our translation) according the humorous tone of the story.

The main character’s name also consists of two parts: the charactonym Horrid (ugly, terrible) and the name Henry. In the first edition of the book his name was translated with preserved alliteration as Гадкий Генри but in the subsequent edition it was replaced with Ужасный Генри for pedagogical reasons so that young readers do not have a wrong idea about the main character because he does not do anything disgusting, he is not ugly by nature, he is just a naughty boy.

Moody Margaret – Мерзкая Маргарет

To describe the character of the heroine Margaret by name who is always dissatisfied with everything and all the girls the translators used the best equivalents of the word moody: dull, sullen. In our opinion, the translators should choose the adjective мрачный which also indicates the heroine’s constant dissatisfaction. But the translators chose the adjective мерзкая as an anthroponymic element. Probably, they were guided by the extremely negative attitude of the main character Henry to Margaret described in all the stories, as he feels that she is competing with him in leadership and she has never been satisfied with his actions and the actions of other people.

Beefy Bert - Бочка Берт

The stories don't mention that Bert was a full-grown boy. He got the nickname Beefy because he liked eating beef. Beefy can also be translated as крепкий, мускулистый (strong, muscular). But a small boy can hardly be called muscular, and it is not possible to translate beefy in one word without transforming the sentence. Therefore, we agree with the translators’ choice as it could be assumed that the boy ate a large amount of meat and got fat, and that is why Henry compared it to a barrel coming up with a nickname. The anthroponymic element in this charactonym is transliterated to make it easier for the child to read.

Clever Clare - КласснаяКлэp

To preserve alliteration, the translators used the adjective классная instead of умная. However, taking into consideration the fact that all the negative characterizing elements were given to the children by Henry, a reader may decide that Henry likes Claire. Claire is not only smart and reasonable but also a very nice and kind girl at school. In our opinion and basing on the context, the anthroponymic component should be translated with the school slangism клёвый and then the heroine’s characterizing name would be clearer to a young reader (our translation).

Brainy Brian-Ботан Бен

It is also an example of using alliteration in translation, the translators used the word Ботан instead ofумный, мозговитый. According to the characteristics of this hero who has a high level of intelligence, we can suggest our translation as БрайнБольшаяголова, БашковитыйБрайн.

If there was not possible to find a Russian equivalent to an English name, the translators changed the names:

It is very difficult to find a suitable translation in Russian language because there are no adjectives with the English common elements which had the Russian equivalents beginning with the same letter. But we tried to find our variants of translation.

Sour Susan - Скучная Сьюзан. The adjective скучная was chosen to characterize the girl but does not convey her character traits. In the stories Susan is always shown dissatisfied with everything especially the fact that the Moody Margaret likes to manipulate her. The dictionary gives the translation of the word sour as мрачный, угрюмый, кислый. By choosing the appropriate synonyms for these adjectives, we would offer to use adjectives: cварливая or cердитая which makes it clearer how Susan behaves most of her time (our translation).

Prissy Polly - Противная Полли

Translators used the adjective противная instead of притворный, показной. Prissy Polly is a character who has very prissy behavior. Polly is an emotional, sensitive, spoiled, ditzy, nagging woman who wants everything to be her way all the time and throws it off. To our mind the best version of translation would be педанткаПолли because she is a nagging personand after some episodes she became more polite to Henry.

Miss Battle-Axe - Мисс Секира

Miss Boudicca Battle-Axe is a strict schoolteacher and also seen to be an abusive teacher as she pulled student`s ear in "Horrid Henry's in front of everyone. In this example translators used an adequate translation «МиссСекира» instead of original one because «МиссБоевойтопор» is not melodic and sounds rude in readers` ears.

After the comparative analysis we have the following results:

Conclusion

This paper presents the analysis of proper names` examples selected from the books «Horrid Henry» and translation them into Russian.

In conclusion, we would like to sum up the results of our study of charactonyms (characterizing nicknames) and realities. Firstly, if the author gives his heroes characterizing nicknames, it should be reflected in the translation accordingly. In the analyzed stories by F. Simon, the methods of loan translation (calculus), approximate translation, transcription, transliteration and neologisms were used. In general, the translation of charactonyms was successful as the original completely reflected the characteristics of the heroes’ character intended by the author. Secondly, the techniques of translation into Russian required to pay attention to the name components which have the same or similar emotional coloring as the English equivalents and to indicate the distinctive character traits of the characters. In addition, it was important to keep alliteration in charactonyms as it played an important role in creating a comic effect.  

If it was not able to find a Russian equivalent to an English adjective in a charactonyms in order to preserve alliteration, a Russian adjective that was similar in meaning to the original word was found or the anthroponymic element of the characterizing nickname had to be changed.

When translating the realities in the stories by F. Simon it was necessary to adequately convey the meaning of such words and also to be sure that the form of the translated word would be as unusual and funny as possible. To solve these problems translators used mainly neologisms and calculus. Sometimes the translators had to come up with the names for toys and English TV shows themselves if there were no suitable Russian equivalent.

In conclusion, perfect translation of a comic literary text that is absolutely adequate to the original in its pragmatic aspect is impossible because the desire to convey the humor of the original meets with resistance from the host culture due to the lack of common concepts and similar situations.

List of information resources

1. КапковаС.Ю. ШустоваИ.Н. Stylistic and functional features of speaking and nicknames in modern children’s English humorous literature (based on the material of the series of stories "Horrid Henry" F. Simon) // Научныйжурнал. Современные лингвистические и методико-дидактические исследования. 2019. № 3 (43). Режим доступа https://rulb.org/en/archive/1-21-2020-april/stilisticheskie-udachi-i-neudachi-v-perevode-prozvishchnykh-imen-i-realii-v-angliiskoi-detskoi-komicheskoi-literature-na-materiale-tsikla-rasskazov-horrid-henry-f-saimon (Дата обращения: 10.10.2024)

2. Пуляевская В.Р., Гринева М.С. К вопросу о способах перевода имён собственных с английского на русский язык // Филологический аспект: международный научно-практический журнал. 2021. № 01 (69). Режим доступа https://scipress.ru/philology/articles/k-voprosu-o-sposobakh-perevoda-imyon-sobstvennykh-s-anglijskogo-na-russkij-yazyk.html (Дата обращения: 15.12.2024)

3. Рохлина А.И. Наиболее частотные переводческие трансформации при переводе ономастических реалий //Филологические науки. Вопросы теории и практики. 2023. №8. Режим доступа https://www.researchgate.net/publication/373634428_The_most_frequent_translation_transformations_in_the_rendering_of_onomastic_realia_by_the_example_of_J_K_Rowling's_Harry_Potter_novels (Дата обращения: 12.01.2025)

4. Francesca Simon. Horrid Henry books. Режим доступа https://www.francescasimon.com/horrid-henry-books/storybooks/horridhenry/ (Дата обращения: 10.09.2024)

Appendix 1. My reading list