Criteria for translations into English
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.