Subject: Translating Kaitlyn.
Author:
Posted on: 2019-11-25 14:44:07 UTC

Or rather, since Kaitlyn comes from Catherine, which is technically of unknown origin, and her LJ name has rather more emotional weight, translating Celebestel:

Sindarin: Celebestel is already Sindarin! It means 'Silver Hope'. There are actually two words for 'hope' in Sindarin; amdir is the more common word, indicating "an expectation of good, which though uncertain has some foundation in what is known". "I hope someone else translates Kaitlyn's name" would be amdir, because, well, we're in a translation thread. In contrast, estel might more accurately be called 'faith': rather than being based in knowledge or evidence, it's the belief that everything will be okay, because the One wouldn't let it be otherwise in the end. 'Faith and the hope that comes with it' is a nice translation. (Celeb is just silver.)

Quenya: Telpestel (Silver Hope) - 'Estel' was adopted into Quenya (or possibly both languages retain a common original); Telpe, telep- is the usual Quenya word for the metal. It would probably be pronounced with a bit of a y sound after the T.

Adunaic: Gimilabâr (Star-fidelity) - The Adunaic name Gimilzôr seems to use 'stars' to translate the initial 'silver' in Quenya Telemnar, and who am I to argue? 'fidelity' or 'strength' is the best I can do for estel.

Valarin: Ibriaþarakašân (Silver Time of Commandment) - akašân actually literally means 'He says', referring to the One; it seemed appropriate. 'Silver' here is a tentatively isolated word from the name of Telperion.

Black Speech: Krimpumghâsh (Bound Fire) - I feel like Orcs would see hope, or especially faith, as a trap - a binding (krimpum is literally 'bindness' here). Fire for silver is the only real option, though Krimpumnazg, 'bound ring', could also work.

hS

PS: One possible etymology of Kaitlyn > Katerina has it coming from the goddess Hekate. One possible meaning of her name is 'she who works her will', or 'she whose will be done'. Given my use of 'commandment' in the Valarin above, it's very amusing to consider translations like Q. Axaniel, A. Hi-Êruvô, and V. Akašānayanūz, all meaning some form of 'She who was ordained by the One'. But I'm pretty sure most of Middle-earth would string me up for blasphemy if I did that. ^_^ ~hS

Reply Return to messages