Trying to correct Hetalia's human names.

[anubismito]

EDIT:
I expanded the theme because in the comments there is an interesting debate about Hetalia characters' human names:

Here's a backup of  a page of Himaruya's old blog where appear some human names.

If you are a native speaker of some of these countries (or just manage "perfectly" the language, it would be great, also if you know a little bit of japanese).
Just a basic thing of japanese: Katakana writes the foreign names phonetically (or the most similar possible to the real phonetic). They use syllabes (except for the letter "n" and the vowels that can be alone. Sometimes the U after a consonant is not pronounced -if it's following an O, just makes the O sound "longer").

I think we should "correct" the transliterations once Shoutwiki is back (or a similar site), these mistakes were running since long ago, and I kow it wouldn't be easy get use to the "corrections", but maybe it's more accurate about them and not "live with the mistakes" XD.

サディク・アドナン (Sadikku Adonan) Usually written as Sadiq Adnan or Sadik Adnan. -Turkey

Just looking for Turkey's HFP (I didn't find it yet), I wrote his "human" name, and I found this site.
Not related to Hetalia... Erzi, Adnan Sadik was a turkish historian....

Maybe Hima got his name from this man O_O;;.

Sorry for this post, but I needed to tell you xD. Now we can see that, one more time, the transcription of the names to romaji is mistaken... The Q (some people told me), doesn't exist in Turkey, so, it's Sadik and not Sadiq... Actually, the name should be Sadık and the letter ı sounds like a similar u... Not sure about that...
• Sadık would probably be more correct, but "ı" sounds more like an "eh" sound, akin to a shortened "i." It wouldn't be stressed, so it'd be more like SAH-dehk.  (Thankskomektesiniz )



► トーリス・ロリナイティス  (Toorisu Rorinaitisu) . The transcription is "Toris Lorinaitis" (or Toris Laurinaitis). -Lithuania

The name Toris does exist, but it's inappropiate for a human (being used in pets mainly). Yes I found the name Tolys (Tolis) as valid, but is not that common, but it's a human lithuanian name XD.
About the surname: Lorinaitis doesn't exist. Laurinaitis could be valid... but does the lithuanian syllabe "Lau" have the same pronunciation in English?. I don't know, I'm not lithuanian and I don't know well the language...  If it was with english pronunciation, then Laurinaitis could be valid.  Since I wasn't sure, I just found another surname that could be valid too: Rolinaitis.
So, I think Toris Lorinaitis should actually be Tolys Rolinaitis... Sources that show that these names exist: 1  2  3



► ナターリヤ・アルロフスカヤ (Nataariya Arurofusukaya). Normally written Natalia Arlovskaya. -Belarus

• Belarus' surname is Arloŭskaja (maybe Arlowskaya) (belarusian variant). In Belarusian her name will be 'Арлоўская'. The 'Ў' reads like 'W' or 'U'.  The surname 'Arlovskaya' is not correctly for Russian and Belarusian grammar too. It's like a mix of Russian and Belarusian. (Thanks mg_emji )



► バッシュ・ツヴィンクリ (Basshu Tsuvinkuri). Transliterated as Vash Zwingli.

It' should be Basch Zwingli.
A user named Watermint at the old wiki pointed out that "Vash" would be different in rendering and not "basshu"*. And his name was exactly the same katakana as Basch von Rosenburg.

I saw a Japanese fan-compiled name chart a while back while browsing the net, and they wrote that "Basch" may have been used as a diminutive for "Sebastian" (so "Sebastian Zwingli"). (Thanks vysnia_cerasus )

* Yes, if it was Vash, should be ヴァシュ.



► エドァルド・フォンヴォック (Edwarudo Fonvokku).  The most common transcription is "Eduard Von Bock", sometimes Eduard Von Vock. -Estonia

I think it should be Eduard Von Wock due to the pronunciation and this is not an estonian surname... Seems to be german. And if I'm not wrong the V in german sounds like an english F, and the W sounds like an english V. (Feel free of correct me, please).


► アントーニョ・ヘルナンデス・カリエド (Antoonyo Herunandesu Kariedo).  Written in Romaji "Antonio Fernández Carriedo". -Spain

It should be Antonio Hernández Carriedo.
Hernández is one of the most common surnames there in Spain (but most common is Fernández, maybe from there came the mistake).
Even though Hima messed up the pronunciation here... In Spanish language, the "h" is a mute letter, while in japanese sounds similat to the h in "hello". The most similar letter we have to this is the "J", but the surname Jernández doesn't exist... Hernández is most accurate.


► リー・ヨンス (Rii Yonsu). Transcription: Im Yongsoo/Yonsu. -South Korea.
I think it should be Rhi Yong-Soo.  Most common transliterated as Lee.  Is one of the most common korean surnames, according to the wikipedia -is the most common surname in the world O_o). The correct pronunciation of Lee is simply "Ri"... And it's also transliterated "Yi", even though in North korea it's pronounced "Lee" as sounds in english.
The pronunciation of r and l in the Korean language are pronounced as an "r" at the start of a word.

► ギルベルト・バイルシュミット (Giruberuto Bairushumitto). Transliterated as Gilbert Beilschmidt / Weillschmidt. -Prussia.

I think Beilschmidt is the most accurate. I think the katakana should be written with V, for the other option (also, some people say this surname with W doesn't exist).  Also, the name Gilbert is not pronounced "Yilbert" (the Yi in spanish) it's similar to the "gui" in "guilty".


► ロヴィーノ・ヴァルガス. (Roviino Varugasu). Lovino Vargas (less common Rovino Vargas). -Romano.
Names like Lovino are ok. Last time we had this thread, someone found an old Roman city named Lovinus or something, and Lovino translates into "small wolf" in funny Italian. Plus the only other option is Rovino, we is just plain awful a name to give to poor Romano. And really old names are also ok. Doesn't matter if they seem outdated to us as some of the nations have had their names for more than 500 years... (Thanks taylorphantom )
Also, Lovino is currently an italian surname.
((xD I was one of the people that commented about Rovino's name coming from the italian word "rovina" -ruin- )).


----------------

 

Of course there are more names with "mistaken transliterations". If you find another, just tell us...

As taylorphantom  said, we should start a  "Figure out the best possible human names from katakana and language X" project ....

Comments

[vysnia-cerasus.livejournal.com]

Good find there! I'm hoping we can overhaul some things at the wiki when Shoutwiki comes back up, especially to clarify name spellings. A lot of stuff needs cleaning up.

"Sadik" does make more sense, but because of the iffiness of the human names, it'll be hard for the confusion to end. Switzerland's is still being spelled "Vash" most of the time (it does sound cool, I get it) instead of "Basch", as it is.

[ivavros.livejournal.com]

I didn't even know Switzerland's human name. Huh.

Imo Basch sounds cooler though.

[anubismito]

Exactly, the same with Antonio Hernández Carriedo surname (is not Fernández; even though this is weird, because in pixiv a tag for him says "Fernández" -Antoonyo Ferunandesu Kariedo- while the "most popular" says Hernández (just how Himaruya wrote in his blog) Antoonyo Herunandesu Kariedo).

And others like Basch, Von Wock (Still sounds weird for me, but in japanese is Eduarudo Fon Vokku; and not "Fon Bokku"), Tolys Rolinaitis (Toris is a name for dogs and inappropiate for humans, and Lorinaitis doesn't exist), etc.etc.etc.etc.

[landcow.livejournal.com]

Basch sounds more like a surname to me, buuuuut he wouldn't be the only character with a surname-turned-first name. Take Feliciano as an example. ^^

Timo would make a lot more sense for Finland instead of Tino, too. Ahh, the fun you can have with translating katakana.

[vysnia-cerasus.livejournal.com]

Yeah, a user named Watermint at the old wiki pointed out that "Vash" would be different in rendering and not "basshu". And his name was exactly the same katakana as Basch von Rosenburg.

I saw a Japanese fan-compiled name chart a while back while browsing the net, and they wrote that "Basch" may have been used as a diminutive for "Sebastian" (so "Sebastian Zwingli").

[vysnia-cerasus.livejournal.com]

Yep. I've realized the "Hernandez" thing, but it seems so late and widespread to do much!

I wasn't sure how Hernandez spread and got popular here, but looking back on the comm, it might have been due to mistake in reading the name or someone copypasted the katakana wrong.

Lithuania's name would be "Tolys Laurinaitis", actually! Laurinaitis exists as a surname, "Lorinaitis" not so much. I've seen "von Vock" suggested as alternative for Estonia. And by the characters Himaruya uses for Hungary's name, it's pretty much "Elizabeta", but he most likely meant "Erzsébet" and goofed. If anything, we've learned Himaruya did most likely intend "Lovino" for Romano though, even though it's an uncommon name.

[mg-emji.livejournal.com]

I think Lithuania's full name is Tolis Laurinaitis. The lithuanian name 'Toris' is also there, but it is borrowed.

About other names too:
Latvia's surname probably is Galantis becouse 'Galante' is female form XD
Belarus' surname is Arloŭskaja (meybe Arlowskaya) (belarusian variant) or Orlovskaya (russian variant).

[vysnia-cerasus.livejournal.com]

The original katakana for Finland's name says "Teino", so "Tino" it is. But Himaruya could've goofed himself, or as he says, his naming sense is rather questionable. If comments from one user were right, Tino does exist in Finnish, but is nowhere near as common as Timo. Ah, names...

[vysnia-cerasus.livejournal.com]

Oh, interesting! Thank you for clarifying more.

I agree about "Laurinaitis". "Arlovskaya" would probably be the closest in English rendering, but that brings the debate of what language one should display character names in. It's a good thing the wiki made the switch to the country names, it at least saves a little bit of the headache. And sorry for derailing topic with Switzerland;;

[radittz.livejournal.com]

From what my Lithuanian friend told me - Toris is a pet name, she said that her neighbours have a cat with this name ;) Human version doesn't exist...
If you want to write Belarus' name with Latin characters, Polish would also work well - it's Arłowskaja - anyway, it comes from word "eagle".

[triangularprism.livejournal.com]

Let's not forget that apparently, Greece's human last name 'Karpusi' actually means 'watermelon' in greek, and isn't really a last name at all. XD That's what I read, anyway. I've always liked Heracles for Greece's name.

[mg-emji.livejournal.com]

My Lithuanian friend too told me about this. He told the name 'Toris' is there, but unlike 'Tolis' it is not traditional lithuanian name. But I'm not sure.
I think in transcription of the Belarusian words and names are better to use 'Belarusian latin alphabet' (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belarusian_Latin_alphabet). 'Arłoŭskaja' or 'Arloŭskaja'.

[anubismito]

Galante is actually an italian surname ^^(and in japanese says "Garante").
And according to Belarus name, it's Natalia (or Natalya) Arlovskaja (I think the V sounds like an F, isn't it??).

I found Laurinaitis too... But the katakana Says "Rorinaitis". Does Lithuanian's "Lau" sounds like the English "Lau". I'm not sure...

[anubismito]

If it was Von Vock (I also thought it's valid), the katakana should say "Fon Fokku", since the V sounds as a F...

Aha, Lovino is another surname X))

[mg-emji.livejournal.com]

In Belarusian her name will be 'Арлоўская'. The 'Ў' reads like 'W' or 'U'.
The surname 'Arlovskaya' is not correctly for Russian and Belarusian grammar too. It's like a mix of Russian and Belarusian.

Mаybe Himaruya was wrong. Lorinaits or Rorinatis doesn't match the Lithuanian grammar. :\

[moyakite.livejournal.com]

V is usually written like this in Japanese:

ヴァ
ヴィ
ヴゥ
ヴェ
ヴォ

Not with an few at all. It doesn't make a real v sound--it's a difficult sound to describe.

[moyakite.livejournal.com]

At least, that was the only way I saw v turned into katakana while I lived in Japan; I never saw it turned into an f sound. Just contributing what little I can. If someone could get me the katakana for all of these, I might be able to help? Maybe? Or at least tell you how they're pronounced in Japanese...

[anubismito]

Ooh, thanks for telling me :D

About Rolinaitis (not Lorinaitis nor Rorinaitis), I just found in a website http://www.angelfire.com/ct/lithgen/CLVRr.html and it appears as surname.

Japanese doesn't use the L, they use the "r" instead, because in japanese sounds similar. I know Rorinaitis doesn't match. For that I thought it could be Rolinaitis.

[anubismito]

Aha... Tino is an italian and Spanish name O_O; (It was the diminutive for Martino, but I think now is used as given name, too).

In katakana says "Tino" (The TE + the little I sounds TI. It's more accurate using it than the CHI that sometimes they use).

I heard about Timo, too... As you say, possibly Hima has goofed himself...

[anubismito]

True!
If I'm not wrong, the greece world for watermelon is Karpouzi (not sure about the spelling), but seems to have a similar pronunciation.

LOL! Is funny xD. (I remembered the names of dragon ball characters, almost all of them have names of foods or vegetables xD).

[anubismito]

I studied japanese and I knew it...
My real name is Victoria, and they teached me to write it using the ヴィ ^^.
In Spanish the V sounds just a V like in english, but (not sure), in Germany (and similar languages) turns into an F (like in "forest"). Or a similar sound.

Eduard's surname is written: フォンヴォック

The フォ is FO and ヴォ (as you wrote) is VO.

It's (or seems to be) a german origin surname. As I know, the V sounds like an F, and the W sounds like an english V (or the japanese one)...

[mg-emji.livejournal.com]

Oh, thank you too. :D I've never heard about 'Rolinaitis'. I'll ask my Lithuanian friend about it.

[anubismito]

But something funny is when Takato (Iván voice actor) shouts "VODKAAAA", sometimes sounds like a "Vuodka"

[moyakite.livejournal.com]

That's the ヴ that you're hearing there. I don't think it sounds much at all like a v, personally, but there's no such sound in ordinary Japanese, really... And one of the most common complaints about English that I've heard (aside from being unable to hear the difference between r and l) is that they have just no idea how to tell the difference between a v and a b. At least with r and l, if someone says, "It's an r; it's an l," then they can distinguish them with the "ah" or "eh" at the start of the letter. B and V? Not so much...

...I'm rambling...

[moyakite.livejournal.com]

Ah, I see. Yes, that makes sense, then. (I only know English and Japanese, so I'm rather limited...)