"Understanding the Transliteration Method in Tolkien's Neologisms and the Challenges in Their Translation"
Kadyrbai Assyl, Sarpekova Nargis, Kabduvakhit Jasmine
This comprehensive study delves into the intricacies of Tolkien's neologisms, focusing on the 2.4 Transliteration method. It examines the importance of transcription as a method for conveying sound within words, particularly in the context of neologisms where pronunciation may be uncertain. The study underscores how this method is prominently employed in translating names of local places and fantastical creatures, drawing parallels with real-world examples like "Denmark" and "Great Britain."
The study explores the Mixed Translation method, emphasizing its challenges. This method is exemplified by the translation of "Lord of the Winds," revealing a mixed approach involving both tracing and functional substitution. However, this approach can be misleading when it doesn't align with the character's attributes and actions.
Additionally, the text addresses how neologisms, such as "Brandybuck," created from combinations of words, can present translation ambiguities. Inaccurate translations emerge when transliteration and partial replacement are applied, highlighting the need for precision.
Translation occasionalisms, such as those arising when the word "Kazakh" aligns with English, are discussed. These occasionalisms, as exemplified by "Shadowfax," are used to adapt neologisms to the target language context, emphasizing the whiteness of the horse.
The text provides a comprehensive analysis of methods influencing the creation of neologisms, including word formation, affixation, and semantic neologisms. It also sheds light on effective translation methods, such as functional substitution, tracing, transcription, and transliteration.
In summary, this study underscores the multifaceted approach required by translators when dealing with Tolkien's neologisms, ensuring that the essence of his works is accurately conveyed in different languages.
Transliteration method
Transcription, a method of transmitting sound within a word, is an important method for processing neologisms whose pronunciation remains uncertain. This is especially evident in the translation of the names of local places and fantastic creatures. For example:
- “Hobbiton-Hobbitania” includes the name of the country inhabited by hobbits, elements of transliteration. This indicates a pronunciation-based name, similar to how "Denmark" or "Great Britain" are handled.
- Another example is “Galena,” the name of a medicinal herb used to treat wounds. Transliteration plays a role in preserving sound and ensuring that meaning matches.
Mixed translation method
In the case of "Lord of the Winds", a character known for his amazing feats, the neologism consists of the words "lord of the winds" and "lord", meaning leadership. The translation uses a mixed approach: the first part is translated by drawing, and the second by functional substitution. However, this can be misleading since the character does not fight the wind, but flies with it, as shown in the original text.
"Then came Gwaihir, Lord of the Winds, who, when Middle-earth was young, built his nests on the inaccessible peaks of the Round Mountains."
Here, "Lord of the Wind" is incorrectly translated as "Zhelayagi" (Zhelayak), despite the character's ability to control the wind, not his wind skills.
The neologism, consisting of the words "brandybuck", "cognac" and "tank", meets an ambiguous approach in translation. If transliteration is applied to the first part, then the second is replaced by “methods of development” and conveys the idea of “rabbit man”, which leads to an inaccurate translation.
“Actually, I’m a brandybuck...”
“For the record, my name is Brandy Bunny...”
"Longbottom's Leaf", a neologism for place in Tolkien's work, combines the words "long", "bottom" and "leaf". Translators choose a long tracing paper as the first part, replacing “leaf” with “tail”, which in translation leads to the meaning “long tail”.
“Anyway, I have my things. Come on! This is Longbottom Leaf."
“Now they give me medicine. Well! The same ones that were brought from Uzynadzhal.”
Translation occasionalisms
When translating Tolkien's neologisms, situations arise when the word “Kazakh” corresponds to the English language. An example is Shadowfax, a neologism for a horse faster than the wind. In English-Kazakh dictionaries, “shadow” means darkness or gloom, which does not correspond to its original meaning. Translators use occasionalism, replacing “darkness” with “light” to show the whiteness of the name.
"Shadow Fax flew over the plains, needing no hints or direction."
“A white hawk rushed across the dark steppes. There was no way to touch him or direct him.”
Likewise, the character's name "Landroval" does not correspond directly in the translation. Translators use occasionalism to adapt a term to a character's characteristics.
"...and Landroval, greatest of the northern eagles..."
""The Ogkanath are also the great falcons of the northern region..."" A study of methods for creating new words in the book of J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings trilogy
When studying Tolkien's creation of new words (neologisms), the main methods influencing their creation are word formation, affixation and the development of semantic neologisms.
1. *My wording:*
- In this method, new words are created by combining existing words. For example, “Snow Mane” combines “snow” and “man”, “Worm” combines “worm” and “tongue”, “Watchman Forest” combines “clock” and “tree”.
- Translators may need to create neologisms that convey the original meaning, for example replacing the word “snow” with “white” in “Snow Flames.”
2. *Creating an affix:*
- Tolkien also uses affixes in neologisms, for example the "half" suffix "-ling" refers to a small creature.
— “People of the East” is another example of affix composition.
3. *Semantic neologisms:*
- Although semantic neologisms have the same meaning in common dictionaries, they have different meanings in Tolkien's works.
– Translators may need to adapt these words to new contexts, for example by translating “Men” to “leaders” and “Hill” to “Yarkabak”.
A study of Tolkien's neologisms also reveals effective methods of rendering these words in translation, including functional substitution, tracing, transcription, and transliteration.
- *Functional replacement method:*
- Translators may replace the meanings of components of a neologism with words that better convey the intended message, as seen in the words "Tongue of Worms" and "Sandman".
- *Calculation method:*
- The Calc method involves translating a word or phrase in parts while maintaining the original structure. Watchwood is an example of translators using the tracing technique.
- *Transcription method:*
- Transcription is used to convey sounds within words when pronunciation is unclear. This method is used to name various local places and people.
- *Mixed translation method:*
- Sometimes mixed methods are used. For example, “Lord of the Winds” was translated partly by tracing paper, and partly by functional replacement according to the characteristics of the character.
- *Translations:*
- In some cases, the original English word does not match the meaning in the target language. Translators can use occasionalisms to adapt neologisms taking into account the context and characteristics of the characters.
This analysis illustrates the multifaceted approach required by translators to accurately convey Tolkien's neologisms while preserving the essence of his works in language.
References:
1. "Translation Studies" by Susan Bassnett (2020).
2. "Translation: Theory and Practice" by Daniel Gile (2010).
3. "Translation and Interpreting Studies" by Mona Baker (2023).
4. "Translation and Gender" by Luise von Flotow (2011).
5. "Translation Changes Everything" by Lawrence Venuti (2012).
6.Introducing translation studies: Theories and applications by Jeremy Munday (2022).
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