Understanding Name Discrepancies between Hindi and English Documents

Introduction

Names can appear differently across documents issued in India and documents used in Australia.

A person's name may be written in Hindi on one document and in English on another. Even when the underlying name is the same, transliteration from Hindi into English can result in different spellings.

For example, a Hindi name may have more than one possible Roman-letter spelling.

This can create questions when a Hindi document is being translated for an Australian visa application, legal matter, court proceeding, educational purpose or other official use.

The important point is that translation and correction are not necessarily the same thing.

Why Can Names Have Different English Spellings?

Hindi uses the Devanagari script, while English uses the Roman alphabet.

Converting a name from one writing system to another is generally a transliteration process rather than a simple word-for-word translation.

There can therefore be differences in how sounds are represented in English.

A person might have one spelling on an Indian passport, another spelling on a certificate and a slightly different spelling on another document.

This does not automatically mean that one of the documents is incorrect.

What Should a Translator Do?

A translator should generally reproduce the name faithfully according to the source document and the requirements of the translation.

The translator should not simply change the spelling because another version appears more familiar.

For example, if a Hindi document contains a particular name, the translation should not silently replace it with a different English spelling merely because that spelling appears on another document.

Where a discrepancy is significant, the client or lawyer may need to address the discrepancy separately.

What If the Client Has a Different English Spelling?

Suppose a person's Hindi document contains their name in Devanagari, while their Australian identification document uses a different English spelling.

This creates two separate questions:

Translation question: How should the name appearing in the Hindi source document be represented in English?

Identity/documentation question: Does the person need to explain or formally correct the difference between the documents?

The second question is not something a translator should automatically resolve through translation.

Depending on the circumstances, the relevant Australian authority, lawyer or migration professional may need to advise on the documentation issue.

Should the Translator "Correct" the Name?

Automatically correcting a name can create problems.

A translator generally should not alter source information simply to make it match another document.

The translated document should accurately reflect the source material.

If an explanatory note is appropriate under the circumstances or requirements of the receiving organisation, that should be handled transparently rather than by silently changing the source information.

Common Types of Name Differences

Differences may involve:

• spelling;

• initials;

• middle names;

• surname order;

• omitted names;

• additional names;

• transliteration;

• punctuation;

• spacing;

• abbreviations.

There can also be differences in the way names are recorded across Indian documents.

For example, a document may contain a person's full name while another record uses initials.

The significance of the difference depends on the particular circumstances.

What About Marriage and Family Law Documents?

Name differences can be particularly important where several documents are being considered together.

Examples may include:

• birth certificates;

• marriage certificates;

• passports;

• identity documents;

• affidavits;

• school records;

• property documents;

• bank records.

A family lawyer, migration agent or other professional may need to establish whether differently spelled names refer to the same person.

Translation alone does not necessarily establish identity.

What About Court Documents?

If a Hindi document is being translated for a legal matter, the lawyer should consider whether the exact representation of names is important to the proceedings.

The translator should be given any relevant instructions about the required format, while maintaining accuracy to the source document.

Where the discrepancy itself is relevant, it may be preferable for the discrepancy to remain visible rather than being concealed through a correction.

What Information Should You Give the Translator?

When requesting translation, it can be helpful to tell the translator:

• what the document is;

• where the document came from;

• what the translation will be used for;

• whether another English document contains a different spelling;

• whether the name discrepancy is relevant to the matter;

• whether the receiving organisation has specified requirements.

This allows the translation task to be considered in its proper context.

Do Not Assume a Name Difference Means an Error

One of the most important practical points is that different spellings do not automatically prove that a document contains an error.

Transliteration between scripts can produce variations.

The appropriate treatment depends on:

• the source document;

• the existing English records;

• the purpose of the translation;

• the requirements of the receiving organisation;

• the legal or administrative context.

A Practical Example

Imagine that a person's name appears in Hindi on an Indian document.

Their Australian passport uses a slightly different English spelling.

If the Hindi document is submitted for translation, the translator should not necessarily change the translated name to the passport spelling without considering the source and applicable requirements.

Instead, the translation should accurately represent the Hindi document.

The lawyer, migration agent or relevant authority can then determine whether the discrepancy needs to be explained or addressed separately.

Questions to Ask Before Translation

If you notice a name discrepancy, consider:

1. Which document contains the original name?

2. What English spelling appears on the person's current identification?

3. Is the difference simply transliteration?

4. Are middle names or initials involved?

5. Is the discrepancy relevant to the legal or administrative matter?

6. Does the receiving authority have specific requirements?

7. Is certification required?

Conclusion

Differences between Hindi and English versions of a person's name are not unusual, particularly where names have been transliterated between Devanagari and Roman script.

For translation purposes, accuracy to the source document is important. A translator should not silently modify a name simply to make it match another record.

If the difference has legal or administrative significance, it may need to be addressed separately by the relevant professional or authority.

When arranging a Hindi-to-English translation, providing information about known name discrepancies can help ensure that the translator understands the context without changing the source document unnecessarily.

Hindi Translations provides Hindi-to-English document translation for clients and professionals in Australia. Where a translation is intended for a particular authority, court or organisation, its specific requirements should be confirmed before translation is arranged.

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