German Name Translation Manual: Revised Edition

Author: Xinhua News Agency Translation Office
Publisher:
Publish Date: 1999-10-01
Features: This manual compiles approximately 60,000 German surnames and given names, suitable for use when translating names in German-speaking countries and ethnic groups (such as Switzerland, Luxembourg, Hungary, Romania, and other German-speaking ethnic groups). The surnames and given names in this manual are not categorized and are arranged in mixed alphabetical order according to the Latin alphabet. When using it, sequentially search for the translations of each part of the name and separate them with "·" between sections. In modern German-speaking countries, the ethnic composition is complex. In addition to ethnic minorities, many foreign immigrants have become local citizens, and some of them have already achieved significant positions in various fields in their countries of residence. Their names often appear in news media, and this manual has selectively included some of these foreign names. Regarding the Chinese translations of such names, this manual refers to the phonetic information from name dictionaries and pronunciation dictionaries as much as possible. For names without phonetic information, except for some with obvious ethnic characteristics that are translated into Chinese according to their original ethnic pronunciation, the others are handled according to general German pronunciation rules. This manual adopts the principle of identical names being translated identically and identical surnames being translated identically, striving for standardized and unified translations. For names that already have established translations in China or for individuals with Chinese names, the principle of convention is followed. For example, "Gobbels" and "Bismarck" are translated as "" and "," respectively. For some names commonly used in Western countries, such as "Wilhelm" and "Jo-hann," despite differences in spelling, they are still translated as "" and "" according to custom. Modern German names consist of a surname and a given name, with the given name preceding the surname. According to German law, children may inherit their father's surname or their mother's surname. However, traditionally, wives take their husband's surname, and sons inherit their father's surname. Some women also retain their maiden surname after marriage, adding the husband's surname to form a compound surname. German surnames are either single or compound. Single surnames consist of one word, while compound surnames consist of two words connected by a hyphen. In most cases, the first part is the father's surname, and the second part is the mother's surname. Some German names include the preposition "von" (). Before the 17th century, von was merely used to connect a person's name with their place of origin, indicating "someone from somewhere" to distinguish them from others with the same name. By the 17th century, it had evolved into a mark of noble birth. Today, it has lost its noble connotation and has become a part of the name. When addressing someone, "von" must be used together with the surname that follows it.