RE: Ltru Digest, Vol 44, Issue 15

Dear All,

0-Let me suggest that we should adopt a precise, uniform and recognized terminology when discussing about
transformations between languages and/or scripts.
So, I reproduce thereafter 8 definitions that have been given by the UNGEGN (United Nations Group of
Experts for Geographical Names) inside their Manual M 85, published by the UN Department of Economic and
Social Affairs, Statistical Division, in May 2002, entitled "Glossary of Terms for the Standardization
of Geographic Names".
All definitions are given in the 6 official UN's languages, and I only reproduce the english linguistic version.

1-TRANSFORMATION [, names]: [In toponymy,] general term covering the TRANSLATION, TRANSCRIPTION and
TRANSLITERATION [of toponyms]. The two latter terms constitute CONVERSION.

2-TRANSLATION: (a) The process of expressing meaning, presented in a source LANGUAGE, in the words of a
target LANGUAGE.
                           (b) A result of this process. [In toponymy it is sometimes applied only to the generic element of a name.]

3-CONVERSION: [In toponymy,] the process of transferring the phonological and/or morphological
elements of a particular LANGUAGE to another, or from one SCRIPT to another. Conversion is effected by
either TRANSCRIPTION or TRANSLITERATION.

4-TRANSCRIPTION: (a) A method of phonetic names CONVERSION between different LANGUAGES, in which the
sounds of a source LANGUAGE are recorded in terms of a specific target LANGUAGE and its particular SCRIPT,
normally withou recourse to additional diacritics.
                              (b) A result of this process.
 TRANSCRIPTION is not normally a reversible process. Retranscription (e.g. by computer) might result in a
form differing from the original.
 However, pinyin romanization of Chinese, although being a CONVERSION between SCRIPTS, but phonetic and
non-reversible, is also regarded as TRANSCRIPTION, not as TRANSLITERATION.