2021, Volume 18, Issue 1
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Lindsey N. Chen Cross-Linguistic Comparison of Screen Translations of Names in Hayao Miyazaki’s Animated Films
Voprosy onomastiki, 2021, Volume 18, Issue 1, pp. 195–208 (in English) Received on 4 May 2020 Abstract: This article discusses the screen translation, into English and Chinese, of some of the names in Hayao Miyazaki’s animated films. In particular, in drawing onomastic examples from Miyazaki’s six animated fantasies, this study provides insights into the naming practices and strategies adopted by the screen translators into languages of distinct linguistic families. The analysis of names sorted into four categories yields the following results: (a) each screen translator used diff erent approaches to the translation of names, and (b) shared similarities with the source language and culture play a crucial role in the translation task. In brief, the first category concerns the films’ protagonists, for which the strategy of diminution is observed in Chinese but not in English translation. The second concerns the names of supporting human characters. Here, screen translators adopt several strategies, including direct phonetic transfer and incorporation of courtesy titles. The third comprises names of anthropomorphic and non-human creatures, and translated samples are shown more likely to be denotative and descriptive. Finally, there is no loss in translation with respect to the symbolic implication of location names. In general, screen translators utilized various linguistic strategies to produce onomastic substitutes that are acceptable to the local audience. Concurrently, they strived not to deviate too much from the original character names, in form and meaning. Keywords: personal names, comparative naming, screen translation, film onomastics, diminutive, Japanese animation, Hayao Miyazaki. References Ayonghe, S., & Ategha, A. (2018). Dubbing or Subtitling? International Journal of English Language & Translation Studies, 6(4), 40–48. Bošković, I., & Jokanović, M. (2018). Cartoon Translation: Representation for the Other. International Journal of Translation, 30(2), 49–65. Chahrour, O. (2018). Cultural Problems in Translation. Translation Journal, 21(3). Retrieved from https://translationjournal.net/July-2018/cultural-problems-intranslation... Denison, R. (2018). Princess Mononoke: Understanding Studio Ghibli’s Monster Princess. London: Bloomsbury Academic. Jankowska, A. (2009). Translating Humor in Dubbing and Subtitling. Translation Journal, 13(2). Retrieved from http://translationjournal.net/journal/48humor.htm Loi, A. (2010). The City Ascends: Laputa: Castle in the Sky as Critical Ecotopia. ImageTexT: Interdisciplinary Comics Studies, 5(2). Retrieved from http://www.english.ufl.edu/imagetext/archives/v5_2lioi Mayumi, K., Solomon, B., & Chang, J. (2005). Ecological and Consumption Themes of the Films of Hayao Miyazaki. Ecological Economies, 54, 1–7. McCarthy, H. (1999). Hayao Miyazaki: Master of Japanese animation. Albany, CA: Stone Bridge Press. Prokopy, S. (2009). Comic-Con ’09: Capone Chats with the Mighty Hayao Miyazaki about his Latest, PONYO! Retrieved from http://www.aintitcool.com/node/41918 Shokri, S., & Ketabi, S. (2015). Translating Culture-Specific Items in Shazdeb Ehtejab: Examining Foreignization and Domestication. International Journal of Research Studies in Education, 4(3), 3–16. Staemmler, B. (2005). Virtual Kamikakushi: An Element of Folk Belief in Changing Times and Media. Japanese Journal of Religious Studies, 32(2), 341–352. Takako, T. (2006). Understanding Mononoke over the Ages. Japan Echo, 33(5). Retrieved from http://www.japanecho.com/sum/2006/330516.html |
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