Translate the Literary Anthroponyms from Calvino’s Italian Folktales into Albanian

Abstract

Literary anthroponyms play a fundamental role in introducing characters to the reader within a literary work. The selection of these anthroponyms by the author is not arbitrary; rather, it constitutes a creative linguistic endeavor, as they not only denote the names of the protagonists but often also hint at their roles and destinies. The translation of these anthroponyms can, at times, present a genuine linguistic challenge, as the translator must not evade the responsibility of conveying these names, particularly when they carry specific semantic meanings, as is the case with "speaking names." This paper aims to examine the translation into Albanian of literary anthroponyms from Italian fairy tales, which serve as a guide for the reader, assisting them in not only identifying the characters but also in anticipating their actions. We will explore the methodologies and strategies employed by Albanian translators to present their readers with the vibrant array of character names found in Calvino's works. Received: 12 April 2025 / Accepted: 29 July 2025 / Published: 05 September 2025