Proper names in yingtoumao yu yinyuexiang nühai and their translation into italian: eagle-headed cats or owls?

The translation of proper names in literary works presents significant challenges due to their implicit or explicit meanings. This is particularly true in Chinese, where names are written using sinograms that retain their original meaning. Consequently, translating proper names from Chinese necessitates an approach that extends beyond simple transliteration. After a brief contextualization of onomastic translation, this study examines Il professore e la ballerina del carillon (2024), the Italian rendition of Yingtoumao yu yinyuexiang nühai (鷹頭貓與音樂箱女孩, 2020), a novel by Hong Kong Sinophone writer Dorothy Tse. Drawing on the strategies proposed by Franco Aixelá in onomastic translation, I will perform a detailed analysis of the techniques employed in translating ten proper names of various kinds. The present article focuses on three primary categories: toponyms (place names), anthroponyms (personal names), and institutional names. Through this comprehensive analysis, I aim to identify the specific translation challenges associated with Sinophone proper names. Furthermore, I propose potential solutions for future translations of Chinese literature into Italian, but which could be applicable to other languages, as well. In summary, this research underscores the critical role proper names play in shaping the narrative, thus highlighting the importance of translators' decisions in preserving the cultural specificities and intended meaning of the original text.