Handling Old Transylvanian Apple Variety Names in Translation

This paper is related to the problems of translating horticultural terms and names. We deal with the translation issues of botanical names in general, then we focus on some old apple varietal names (Pónyik, Batul, Tányéralma, etc.) and the way these names are treated in English/Romanian texts. We also present some aspects related to the historical background of name giving and pomology. Our aim is to identify the main tendencies of such names in scientific writings and other types of texts. Prior to the publication of the Cultivated Code in the 1950s, the situation of varietal names was rather ambiguous, and sometimes several varietal names were circulating for the very same fruit variety or cultivar. That is why today we still talk about synonymy and translation in the field of variety names despite the fact that the Code stipulates a preference for non-translation. We also attempt to analyse the etymological implications of the above mentioned apple variety names, as especially Pónyik and Batul are equally claimed by Hungarian and Romanian pomologists.