Transliteration Principles and Systems

Transliteration: Principles and Systems

• Transliteration is the representation of written characters of one language by the characters of another language.
• Different languages have different equivalents for Russian letters, resulting in various transliteration systems.
• Major systems for transliterating Russian words into English include BSI, ISO, LC, and PCGN.
• The preferred system for transliteration should closely approximate the source language word.
• Transliteration and transcription can compete, but transliteration is preferred in bibliographical citations.
• Modern vs. outdated traditions and national traditions can affect the form of a name in transliteration.
• Chinese words can have two English scripts due to the Wade-Giles and Pinyin systems.
• The Pinyin system has official standing in China and is used for telegrams, mass media, and education.
• When translating Chinese words, it is recommended to consult special charts of transliteration Chinese syllables.
• The main principles of correspondence between English and Russian syllables in transliterating Chinese words include ng, n, and voiced vs. voiceless consonants.
• The Russian Ж corresponds to the Pinyin R or Wade-Giles J (before front vowels), and care should be taken not to confuse the Pinyin palatalized J (Wade-Giles CH) corresponding to the Russian ЦЗ.
• The Pinyin palatalized X is equal to the Wade-Giles HS and corresponds to the Russian С, while the Pinyin palatalized Q is equal to the Wade-Giles CH and corresponds to the Russian Ц.

Test your knowledge of transliteration principles and systems in this informative quiz. Learn about the different systems for transliterating Russian and Chinese words into English, the importance of accuracy in bibliographical citations, and the impact of modern vs. outdated and national traditions on transliteration. Challenge yourself to identify the correct correspondence between English and Russian syllables and gain a deeper understanding of the intricacies of transliteration.