can proper names be translated ?

Question

how would you translate to spanish "Cougar Communication Groups"

Answer 1

Es una práctica común traducir los topónimos (nombres de lugares). Sin embargo la traductología considera que los antropónimos (nombres de personas o familias) no deben traducirse.

True for surnames, but many people struggle with my name and call me everything from Philips (an electronics firm) to Phylis (a woman´s name). Most end up calling me Felipe. And there is a historical precedence for famous figures, like Principe Carlos. - Encalada, Mar 2, 2011

Answer 2

You don't.

Proper names should not be translated. - Agora, Mar 2, 2011

Depends on the context, shirley. If the aim is communication and I tell you I work for Dong Chun Wang Po Mo Fo, what use is that to you? Dong Wang Engineering on the other hand is useful... - afowen, Mar 2, 2011

But thats not really translating - pacofinkler, Mar 2, 2011

Es cierto que la traducción facilita la comunicación y pronunciación, pero debiera evitarse si es posible. - Agora, Mar 2, 2011

Answer 3

Generally proper names aren't translated unless there's a historical precedent. For example, it's rare to hear people saying anything other than Londres or Nueva York. Even Principe Carlos and Reina Isabel are generally used, despite Elizabeth being an increasingly-popular name in Spanish-speaking countries.

The more modern the name, the concept, or the company, then the rarer it is to hear a translation. For example, laptop is used a lot and I rarely hear anyone say computadora portátil and i-Pod is even pronounced with an English "I".

Answer 4

Here in the north of México it would be "CCG" Mexicans love acronyms!

"Groupos cougar com" (communicación) S.A de C.V.

Not a translation really.

A company name really should not be changed.

Answer 5

Course, though as to whether to want to with company names would depend on the situation.

In your example, the 'communication groups' part of the name gives info as to what the company does, I'd translate that but not the cougar part.

'Grupos de Comunicaciones Cougar' would be my attempt.

cougars, alex? seriously? :) - Deanski, Mar 2, 2011

I'm interested in hearing what they want to communicate about. Do you have a number? :-) - afowen, Mar 2, 2011

unfortunately I don't.:) perhaps they just really care about mountain lions. or not! jejeje - Deanski, Mar 2, 2011

Je je - afowen, Mar 2, 2011