International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences, Vol XXXV, Part B4. Istanbul 2004
in one of the maps the nomenclature appeared in the original
Latin form (fig. 3.), while in the other we have created a
translated nomenclature, where all generic elements were made
understandable for the Hungarian readers (fig. 4.). We asked
what the readers understood from the map and what they don't,
and we asked them to describe the “geography of Mars” using
the maps. Since the survey is still in progress, the results will be
presented at the conference.
* ARCÁDIA-
SIKSÁG
DIDI AS
Fig. 4. Map of Mars (the same detail as above) with translated
nomenclature and some additional information.
Additional information
We are working on finding out new symbols and areal
visualization textures for planetary features. For this work first
we have catalogued the volcanic, aeolian erosional, biogenic,
crustal, tectonic, fluvial, karst, mass movement, impact feature
types (landforms) of terrestrial planetary bodies. Symbols can
be based on the Planetary Geology Feature symbols used by
USGS (USGS, 2003), but they have to be modified to fit the
needs of the general public.
Such map would be a composite map of several thematic
“layers”: it would contain albedo features, topography, selected
landscape features (especially the important, but too small ones)
would be indicated only by generalized symbols, while others
would look realistic. It would show the man made objects found
on the surface (in intact or broken form), and it would show
selected “hot spots” or “candidate scientific tourist attractions.
The visualization of the planetary body can also use planetary
shadow technique (where, if the planet is shown as two
hemispheres, the planet would be displayed with limb
860
darkening.) We are now working on such new visualization
features on the new edition of our multilingual Venus wall map.
EXTRATERRESTRIAL GEOGRAPHIC NAMES
[AU Rules on extraterrestrial geographic names (detail):
“Individual names chosen for each body should be expressed in
the language of origin. Transliteration for various alphabets
should be given, but there will be no translation from one
language to another. ... Diacritical marks are a necessary part of
a name and will be used. ... The number of names chosen for
each body should be kept to a minimum, and their placement
governed by the requirements of the scientific community."
(Gazetteer... 2, 2003)
Specific element (proper name) — Names are labels.
"The main function of geographical names is to serve as label,
and as such, its semantic meaning, even if evident, is of less
consequence than its role as a designation or tag." (Kadmon,
2000)
Meaning : Since naming is artificial (or, bureaucratic) process,
there is no connection between the proper name and the feature.
Except when sometimes there can be: in nicknames or
traditional names. Or they can be generally related to the body
itself (scientist who studied that body).
The meaning can be transparent (readily understandable) or
opaque. Now usually both element of Extraterrestrial names are
opaque for all readers who haven't learned Latin. However, for
some traditional names both elements are translated, but in spite
of this, the name is still remains opaque or, worst, it has false
generic, which does not describe the feature, and also false
specific considering its meaning (Sea of Rains). Here the
geologic term would be better understandable (Imbrium Basin),
but this has a slightly different meaning and is against the
traditional name. While for the science the meaning itself is of
secondary or no importance, for the general public, the meaning
or its historic connections can be more important (or
interesting). This argues for the restoration of the original
meaning in local language, while if we consider the label
function, this argues against any attempt of translation or even
transcription / transliteration of the names. Exceptions: if the
specific element contains compass points.
Not-official specifics or names: Astronaut-named features and
“named stones” on Mars are somewhat “off” the nomenclature,
since it neither follows the IAU rules of naming features, nor
the terms used for lunar features. But, in fact, it is the only case,
when the features get their name by natural naming; therefore
the names may be related to the named object and also those
who named it. Since these are all given by Americans, the terms
are using English (Mountain, Massif) and the specific element is
taken from American culture and in English (Snoopy, Family
Mountain, North Massif). Here, probably the same rules can be
used as in the Earth maps — which rules let open the question
whether to translate one or two elements of the name. Not
official, but widely used names on the Moon are Cap Banal,
Great Wall, Cobra head, on Mars: Inka City, Happy Face crater,
Giant’s Footsteps etc.. Since most observers do use these
names, it is clear that a map should also display these naturally
created”, but not official names. These should be given in the
target language — here the meaning is more important than the
labeling function —, not in an artificially latinized form. In some
cases the same feature has Soviet and American (LAU) names
parallelly. Such are some catenae on the far side of the moon,
where both names are shown on the maps.
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