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Переводить или не переводить – вот в чем вопрос: «лишние» топонимы?
This article discusses the problem of translating foreign proper names in Russian texts. The author points to three ways to translate foreign names: transcription, transliteration and direct inclusion with preservation of the graphics. But a formal approach to transcription can lead to errors and inconsistencies, as well as creating hard-to-pronounce or meaningless names. In the article examples are given from Swedish detective stories where the accumulation of place names makes it difficult to read and understand the text. The translator may shorten or omit such passages for the convenience of the reader perception. Another problem is that Russian readers are not familiar with foreign place names. In such cases, the translator can use footnotes or abbreviated lines referring to less significant areas or addresses.