Fictional Names and the Impact of Translation A Case Study of the Nomenclature in The Lord of the Rings

Abstract

This is a qualitative and quantitative study that investigates the translation of fictional names in the Swedish versions of The Lord of the Rings. The translation of invented names is not uncomplicated given that several factors need to be considered. For example, connotations can be significant to the narrative, and it is important that these are well represented. The research focuses on translation techniques, specifically which strategies are most common and how these benefit and disadvantage a translation. Furthermore, Newmark’s (2001, pp. 81-93) translation procedures are used together with Tolkien’s (1967/2005, pp. 751-782) instructions regarding names in The Lord of the Rings to examine a total of 60 translations. The findings indicate that a combination of strategies is the most frequent approach and that a considerable portion of names misrepresent the original meaning. By exploring how fictional names are translated, the present study seeks to provide insights into how translation procedures affect the reader’s impression of a literary work.