Guidelines for Translating into English

1. Names of Contemporary Figures

• Do not translate: Retain the original names of contemporary figures, including royalty. For example:

  • King Juan Carlos [not King John Charles]

• Exception: Translate papal names of popes into English, e.g., Pope John Paul II.

2. Catalan Names to Spanish or Vice Versa

• Do not translate: Use the name individuals refer to themselves; e.g., Pau [not Pablo] Casals.

• Note: In English texts, consider writing out Catalan and Spanish abbreviations like M. and Mª in full as Maria for clarity.

3. Historical and Fictional Figures

• Translate: Only translate names with traditional English equivalents; e.g., Avicenna, but Don Quixote.

4. Continents and Countries

• Translate: Translate names of continents and countries; e.g., Africa, South Korea.

5. Geographical Features

• Translate: Major geographical features with traditional English translations; e.g., the Danube River/the River Danube, the Canary Islands.

• Do not translate: Leave names of minor features without standard translations in the source language.

6. Geographical, Political, or Geopolitical Regions

• Translate: Names of regions with traditional English translations; e.g., Tuscany, the Basque Country.

• Do not translate: Keep other names in the original language; e.g., Île-de-France.

7. Monuments and Buildings

• Do not translate: Keep names of widely known monuments and buildings in their original language; e.g., Camp Nou, Sagrada Família.

• Translate: Use traditional English translations when available; e.g., St Peter's Basilica.

8. Neighbourhoods

• Do not translate: Keep neighbourhood names untranslated unless a well-established English version exists; e.g., Poble Nou [not New Town].

9. Seas and Oceans

• Translate: Names of seas and oceans should be translated; e.g., the Atlantic Ocean.

10. Street Names

• Do not translate: Generally, street names should not be translated. Exception: Write all words in an address in full for comprehension.

11. Towns and Cities

• Translate: Names of towns and cities with traditional English translations; e.g., Vienna, Havana.

• Do not translate: Leave other names in the source language; e.g., Buenos Aires, Sort.

12. Acronyms and Initialisms

• Do not translate: Retain acronyms unless an alternative English version is common. Provide the full name on first mention followed by the acronym.

13. Artistic and Cultural Movements

• Translate: Use clear and well-established English translations for movements; e.g., futurism, constructivism.

14. Awards

• Translate: Translate generic words in award names; e.g., Catalan National Prize for Literature.

15. Bands, Orchestras, Songs, or Other Musical Pieces

• Do not translate: Keep names of rock bands and songs in the original language; e.g., Els Pets, Luke soy tu madre.

• Translate: Use traditional English translations for orchestras and generic terms in classical musical pieces.

16. Books and Periodicals

• Do not translate: Keep titles of publications in the original language. Provide a translation in brackets on first mention if needed.

17. Company Units and Departments

• Translate: Names of company units and departments should be translated; e.g., Human Resources Department.

18. Courses and Programmes

• Translate: Names of courses and programmes should be translated; e.g., History of Anthropology II.

19. Events and Exhibitions

• Translate: Names of events with common, translatable words. Use official English translations where applicable.

20. Forms of Address

• Translate: Common forms of address; e.g., Senyor: Mr, Senyora: Ms.

21. Higher and International Bodies and Organizations

• Translate: Names with clear English equivalents; e.g., Ministry of Education, International Federation of Association Football.

22. Holidays and Historical Events

• Translate: Names with traditional English translations; e.g., Carnival, the Epiphany.

23. Institutions

• Do not translate: Keep names of institutions in their original language unless a common-noun equivalent is used for clarity.

24. Latin Terms

• Avoid: Use English equivalents for Latin terms where possible.

25. Laws and Official Documents

• Translate: Names of official and government documents; e.g., the Statute of Autonomy.

26. Museums

• Translate: Names of museums on first mention unless an official translation exists.

27. Political Parties and Unions

• Translate: Names of political parties and unions unless commonly known by their original-language name.

28. Private Companies

• Do not translate: Keep names of private companies in the original language.

29. Talks and Conferences

• Do not translate: Leave titles of talks and conferences in the original language unless an official translation exists.

30. Television Channels and Radio Stations

• Do not translate: Keep names of television channels and radio stations in the original language.

31. Universities

• Translate: Names of universities unless specified otherwise. Use preferred translations when available.

32. Works of Art

• Translate: Titles of works of art unless there is no clear English equivalent or they are traditionally known by their titles in another language.

Note: Consistency is crucial, and always verify transliterations in the source text for accuracy.