Linguistic and Cultural Challenges in Translating Tamil Theonyms into English

Abstract

Theonyms, or divine names, often encapsulate deep cultural, historical, and religious significance. In Tamil, a language rich in literary and spiritual traditions, theonyms serve as repositories of complex metaphors, attributes, and mythological references. Translating these theonyms into English presents unique challenges, ranging from preserving semantic depth to conveying cultural symbolism. This study explores the linguistic, phonetic, and cultural dimensions of this translation process, providing illustrative examples and proposing methodologies to maintain fidelity and resonance in the target language.