The Names of Russia in Pre-modern Romanian: Problems of Translation

The article discusses the names of Russia and their formal variation in texts translated into Romanian during its pre-modern stage (ca. 1780–1830). In this period, diversity source languages (French, German, Italian, Serbian, Modern Greek) generated denominative foreign translation. Other causes are lack translation criteria, different alphabets phonetic systems (Latin, Greek Romanian-Cyrillic) that entered contact, role dominant culture (Latin Greek), preexisting traditional forms through intermediate sources. These factors explain circulation several choronyms for consistency period. sources often implies a from one text to another or within same text. Although language usually influences names, traits frequently appear Latin-scripted due long-time higher cultural prestige language. Accordingly, case name Russia, influence is felt at level (Rosia) suprasegmental (the paroxytone instead proparoxytone accentuation). Similarly, variants Moscva Moscfa adaptations Russian Moskva. On other hand, translators could not ignore reader sometimes substituted with expression (e.g. Împărăţiia Moscului Ţara Moschicească Moscovia). provide an example possibilities transposing proper and, time, reflect essential linguistic characteristic name, very close association between signifier named individuality.