The issue related to the character names.

XuFu

Active member
Joined
Aug 24, 2020
Messages
23
Points
43
I'm currently updating a novel in English where most of the character names are from non-English speaking countries. Therefore, I find that the names of those characters are very unnatural. Is there any way to solve this problem? Or rather, this is an unsolvable problem that can only be endured. Hope everyone can offer some suggestions. Thank you!
 

CharlesEBrown

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 23, 2024
Messages
4,696
Points
158
I'm currently updating a novel in English where most of the character names are from non-English speaking countries. Therefore, I find that the names of those characters are very unnatural. Is there any way to solve this problem? Or rather, this is an unsolvable problem that can only be endured. Hope everyone can offer some suggestions. Thank you!
It depends - did you use actual ethnic names, or "soundalike" names? If actual names, then don't worry about it. If "soundalikes" go back to the source and do some research for equivalents.
 

XuFu

Active member
Joined
Aug 24, 2020
Messages
23
Points
43
这要看情况——你用的是真实的民族名称,还是“发音相似”的名称?如果是真实的民族名称,那就不用担心。如果是“发音相似”,那就追溯原文,寻找类似的名称。
I used the real names, but they are very rare in English. Therefore, I'm worried that they might cause certain reading obstacles for readers.
 

Placeholder

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 24, 2022
Messages
464
Points
133
The most popular convention is to use the transliteration of the name to its romanized equivalent. Instead of picking a western name.

"Zichen Wang" rather than "Peter Smith".
 

Arkus86

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 1, 2019
Messages
789
Points
133
Which non-English countries specifically? Many western names have a direct equivalent in English, so there you have the option of translating them if you really want to.
For everything else, you should just leave the names as they are - romanized when needed, but not translated.
 

XuFu

Active member
Joined
Aug 24, 2020
Messages
23
Points
43
The most popular convention is to use the transliteration of the name to its romanized equivalent. Instead of picking a western name.

"Zichen Wang" rather than "Peter Smith".
I see. Thank you!
The most popular convention is to use the transliteration of the name to its romanized equivalent. Instead of picking a western name.

"Zichen Wang" rather than "Peter Smith".
Mainly Asian names.
 
Top