When names written in different alphabets are carried over into the target text, they are not translated; their letter equivalents are found. This operation looks simple, but there is more than one system, and the same name is written differently in different systems. In corporate documents this difference directly affects identity matching.
Definition
Transliteration is the operation of carrying the characters of one writing system over into another writing system. What is carried over is the form, not the meaning. The rules of the operation are defined.
How it differs from translation
Translation carries over the meaning, transliteration the characters. A name is not translated, but its letter equivalent can be found. The two operations are not confused.
How it differs from spelling by pronunciation
Spelling by pronunciation takes the sound as its basis, whereas transliteration takes the character. The same name is written differently with the two methods. Which one was used is stated.
More than one system
There may be more than one transliteration system for the same pair of alphabets. The systems give different results. The preference is recorded.
Choice of system
Which system will be used is determined at the start of the job. Mixed use writes the same name in two forms. The preference is fixed.
Priority of official documents
If there is a spelling in the person's passport, that is taken as the basis. The choice of system does not take precedence over it. The document is asked for.
Identity matching
The receiving organisation compares the name with the identity document. A different spelling breaks the match. This risk is managed from the outset.
Letters specific to Turkish
Some letters in Turkish have no direct equivalent in other alphabets. In that case the decision is made in advance. The application is consistent.
The consistency requirement
The same name is written in the same form throughout the document. A spelling that changes from page to page makes the identity uncertain. A list is kept.
Consistency across documents
The same spelling is used in the different documents of the same person. A check is made at file level. Inconsistency is reported.
Use in the names of organisations
The names of organisations can also be carried over by transliteration. If there is an official rendering, that is preferred. The two options are assessed.
Use in place names
Place names may have established equivalents, and then no transliteration is needed. The established name is preferred. A check is made.
Reversibility
Some systems make it possible to return to the original spelling. This feature is valuable in registration work. The system is chosen accordingly.
Limits of automatic tools
Automatic transliteration tools do not know the exceptions. The output is checked. It is not taken on trust.
Stating it in the translator's note
Which system was used is noted where necessary. This information makes later procedures easier. The note is kept short.
Following the client's preference
If the client has an established spelling preference, it is applied. The organisation wants to preserve its own records. The preference takes priority.
Recording in the archive
The spellings used are entered in the client file. The same form is used in later jobs. Continuity is ensured.
What it is confused with
Transliteration is frequently taken for translation, and an attempt is made to translate the name. Even if a personal name has a meaning, it is not translated; only its characters are carried over. This distinction is decisive in identity documents.