Do names change between languages?

Notably, any names you may see in the Bible (Old or New) come to us from Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek, or other languages, often by way of Latin; and since the Bible has been translated into most languages used today, the names have been adapted and adopted differently, and they have changed with the centuries as part of the …

Does the correct pronunciation of words matter when you speak?

As long as communication and understanding is achieved that’s all that matters. It doesn’t matter if some sounds are dropped at the ends of words or if someone says ‘they is’ instead of ‘they are’.

Are names different in different languages?

The speakers of a certain language usually have names that do not exist in another language. Even when the name has a common root or refers to the same historic or religious figure, different languages will spell and pronounce the name in a unique way.

Why is it important for people to pronounce your name correctly?

Having one’s name pronounced correctly is incredibly important for some people as names can be representative of one’s culture, heritage, race and overall identity. This makes having one’s name mispronounced a negative and disheartening experience.

Can names be translated?

The rule about proper names in translation work is very simple: There really are no rules. The initial rule you’re given as a young and energetic translation worker is that proper names shouldn’t be translated – that is, if you’re talking about a person, their name should be left as it is in the source text.

Why do the names of countries change in different languages?

Sometimes it’s simply due to places being referred to by different tribes or groups that once lived there. Germany, for example, is called “Deutschland” in German, which translates to “the land of [our] people.” Its English name comes from a tribe that resided there.

Why do people say Expresso?

Because of the similarity of espresso to the English word express—and the promise of coffee being prepared with relative swiftness in contrast to percolating devices, it naturally caught on for espresso to be interpreted as expresso—reflecting the “express” nature of delivery—and consequently spelled as such.

Why do country names change with language?

The names got passed along on trade routes or through diplomacy, spoken and heard by people who didn’t share the same language. Somewhere along the way, a name got garbled or misunderstood or even purposefully changed to accommodate the sounds of one language or another.

Do proper names get translated?

Similar to the first option, proper nouns are translated only in several very specific cases and you must be careful when choosing this path. In names of roads, stations, and buildings, the word “road” or “station” would be translated, while the name itself should be transliterated.

Why is it important to pronounce a name correctly?

To sum it all up, pronouncing somebody’s name correctly is more than just accurately moving your lips and tongue. Because names may reflect one’s heritage, familial values, and culture, making an effort is important. But names are difficult, and most of us are not well-acquainted with many languages and their pronunciation patterns.

Do you have a communication problem due to pronunciation?

Here’s a true story that illustrates a communication problem due to pronunciation – between two mother tongue speakers of English: A few years ago I went on holiday to Seattle in the US, and I needed to make a phone call. The public phone box only took 25c coins, called ‘quarters’, so I went into a shop to get some change.

Why should I work on my English pronunciation?

Working on your English pronunciation is a way to solve all these problems. Perfect pronunciation isn’t necessary to make yourself understood in English, so we will focus on the key areas that will improve your ability to communicate in English – speaking it and understanding it – and on the most common pronunciation problems for Italian speakers.

What is “phonetic respelling” of a name?

Each name on our database has an audio recording of its pronunciation and “phonetic respelling. The latter is the spelling of a name that is representative of the pronunciation. For example, the phonetic respelling of Irish Mairead and Seamus is respectively “muh-reyd” and “shey-mus”.