Glossary entry (derived from question below)
Hindi term or phrase:
datta
English translation:
1.given 2. bengali surname
Added to glossary by
keshab
Mar 8, 2006 12:38
18 yrs ago
Hindi term
France
datta
Hindi to English
Art/Literary
Poetry & Literature
Bengali/Hindi names
Hi all,
I'm helping a friend with some terms in a book by a Bengali writer. The characters in the book include some healers whose names all end in "datta": Giridatta, Somdatta, Mohandatta, Abhaydatta, Ayurdatta.
I know "datta" means "given", "bestowed": but how would I translate these names? Since "Devadatta" means "God-given"; would "Giridatta" mean "of the mountains"? Somdatta: son of the moon? How do I tackle the other three (mohan: enchantment; abhay: fearless; ayur: life?). Any tips appreciated.
Thanks in advance - and watch this space, I'll be back with a couple more questions!
Kaveri
I'm helping a friend with some terms in a book by a Bengali writer. The characters in the book include some healers whose names all end in "datta": Giridatta, Somdatta, Mohandatta, Abhaydatta, Ayurdatta.
I know "datta" means "given", "bestowed": but how would I translate these names? Since "Devadatta" means "God-given"; would "Giridatta" mean "of the mountains"? Somdatta: son of the moon? How do I tackle the other three (mohan: enchantment; abhay: fearless; ayur: life?). Any tips appreciated.
Thanks in advance - and watch this space, I'll be back with a couple more questions!
Kaveri
Proposed translations
(English)
| 5 +1 | 1.given 2. bengali surname |
keshab
|
| 4 | Two possible approaches |
Balasubramaniam L.
|
| 3 -1 | when there is no prefix it could be 1) Given by the destiny 2) Given by Kaal |
Mrudula Tambe
|
Proposed translations
+1
4 hrs
Selected
1.given 2. bengali surname
let us take a look on the two ways:
1. the abovesaid words derived from sanskrit. In ancient time these words (suffixed by -datta) used for hindu men's name. But they have individual meaning also. e.g.
devdatta= given by god
giridatta= given by mountain
somdatta= given by the moon
mohandatta= given by the beauty (OR given by Krishna because mohan is the other name of Lord Krishna)
abhaydatta= given by the blessings (don't go with literary meaning-god's blessing is also called "abhay")
ayurdatta= given by life or god of life.
you can say why are there so "given"in the names of persons? Ancient people believed that birth of a male child is a blessing of god and they worshipped variety of gods and these gods derived from the force of nature (mountain,moon etc.)
2. Till now, "Datta" is a surname of bengali person and you can't translate the surname. Do you? then Singh= lion/horn, Williamson=som of william etc.etc.?? ha ha!!
The choice depends on the subject of the book. If it describes the ancient age we should go with the first option; if it for modern age we go with the second.
1. the abovesaid words derived from sanskrit. In ancient time these words (suffixed by -datta) used for hindu men's name. But they have individual meaning also. e.g.
devdatta= given by god
giridatta= given by mountain
somdatta= given by the moon
mohandatta= given by the beauty (OR given by Krishna because mohan is the other name of Lord Krishna)
abhaydatta= given by the blessings (don't go with literary meaning-god's blessing is also called "abhay")
ayurdatta= given by life or god of life.
you can say why are there so "given"in the names of persons? Ancient people believed that birth of a male child is a blessing of god and they worshipped variety of gods and these gods derived from the force of nature (mountain,moon etc.)
2. Till now, "Datta" is a surname of bengali person and you can't translate the surname. Do you? then Singh= lion/horn, Williamson=som of william etc.etc.?? ha ha!!
The choice depends on the subject of the book. If it describes the ancient age we should go with the first option; if it for modern age we go with the second.
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Interesting explanation! Once again Balasubramaniam was pretty much there - wish I could award points to both; my sincerest thanks to all of you for replying. The translator is going to mention that it's a current Bengali surname and add a gloss for each name, as she's been asked to provide a glossary for all Indian terms including names. "
2 hrs
Balasubramaniam L.
India
India
Native in Hindi
India
Fast, accurate, elegant translation
Native in: Hindi 
Works in: English to Hindi, Hindi
Related KudoZ points
:
12
Two possible approaches
Approach 1
Leave the names as they are, that is Somdatta, Giridatta, etc., and add at the end of the book, or at the bottom of the page, a note explaining these terms.
Approach 2
Translate these terms into English in such a way that the words can be recognized as names and at the same time these words should convey the meaning of the original. This will be the more difficult of the two approaches as some of the translation would be phrases and not words, like for example, Giridatta, meaning Mountain Giver, etc. If these names appear repeatedly in the text, these phraseal names would look awkward.
Here is my take on the transltions:
Ayurdatta - Life Giver
Somdatta - Moon Giver
Giridatta - Mountain Giver
Mohandatta - Charm Giver
Abhaydatta - Courage Giver
Having done that, I am not too sure that datta, can be translated as giver. Are we confusing "daata" with "datt" (दत्त). The former is "giver" all right, but "datt" may also mean "received" as in
भगवान प्रदत्त गुण (Bhagwan pradatt gun) which means values that one has received from God.
May be someone who knows Sanskrit well will be able to enlighten us.
Leave the names as they are, that is Somdatta, Giridatta, etc., and add at the end of the book, or at the bottom of the page, a note explaining these terms.
Approach 2
Translate these terms into English in such a way that the words can be recognized as names and at the same time these words should convey the meaning of the original. This will be the more difficult of the two approaches as some of the translation would be phrases and not words, like for example, Giridatta, meaning Mountain Giver, etc. If these names appear repeatedly in the text, these phraseal names would look awkward.
Here is my take on the transltions:
Ayurdatta - Life Giver
Somdatta - Moon Giver
Giridatta - Mountain Giver
Mohandatta - Charm Giver
Abhaydatta - Courage Giver
Having done that, I am not too sure that datta, can be translated as giver. Are we confusing "daata" with "datt" (दत्त). The former is "giver" all right, but "datt" may also mean "received" as in
भगवान प्रदत्त गुण (Bhagwan pradatt gun) which means values that one has received from God.
May be someone who knows Sanskrit well will be able to enlighten us.
Peer comment(s):
| disagree |
tkmukerji
: doner
7 days
|
| agree |
Mrudula Tambe
: The word Datta is the form of root Da - to give with suffix T Past Passive participle. Given is the right word but in this context person could be receiver of that special qualities. I think Prakaash will able to tell us more.
8 days
|
-1
2 hrs
Mrudula Tambe
India
India
India
Enhancing your income via performance..
Native in: Sanskrit 
, Marathi
Works in: English to Marathi, Marathi to English, Sanskrit to English, and 7 more.
when there is no prefix it could be 1) Given by the destiny 2) Given by Kaal
Destiny given is natural since no prefix required
Kaal ruled by Lord Yama which is shown by the vaccume in Indian Mythology and sometimes not mentioned by the specific word. Sometimes people feel that its unauspicious to mention the name of Yama.
Kaal ruled by Lord Yama which is shown by the vaccume in Indian Mythology and sometimes not mentioned by the specific word. Sometimes people feel that its unauspicious to mention the name of Yama.
Peer comment(s):
| disagree |
tkmukerji
: names must not be traslate.you cantsay surya prakas as sun light
7 days
|
|
Dear one, She is asking the meaning and we are trying to provide it. There is nothing to be disagree.
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