What does transliterated mean?
Transliterated describes a word, name, text, or sound that has been converted from one writing system into another, most often into the Latin alphabet. The conversion generally represents pronunciation without conveying a new meaning, although practices vary by language and purpose. For instance, a place name can be transliterated from Arabic, Japanese, or Cyrillic so that it can be printed, indexed, or searched in Latin letters. The word is common in linguistics, name studies, cataloguing, and discussions of foreign names, where it is often contrasted with translation. Translation renders meaning in another language; transliteration primarily renders a linguistic form in different characters. “Transliterated” can also function as the past tense and past participle of the verb “transliterate.” The term is useful because it distinguishes a change of writing system from a change of language, clarifying matters of spelling, pronunciation, search, and cultural identity.
Rendered in the characters of another writing system, especially the Latin alphabet.
"The map provides transliterated names for all the marked locations."
The word usually emphasizes the change of writing system rather than a change of meaning.
To render a word, name, text, or sound in a different writing system.
"The scholar transliterated the Sanskrit verses into the Latin alphabet."
The verb is normally transitive and commonly takes a word, name, text, or other linguistic form as its object.
Transliteration moves a word to a new alphabet; translation moves it to a new language.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does transliterated come from?
Transliterate derives from the Latin translitterare, formed from trans- “across” and littera “letter,” literally conveying the idea of carrying letters from one system into another. The English verb entered use in the early 17th century, and the participial form “transliterated” subsequently came to function both as an adjective and as a verb form. English words such as literal and literature descend from the same Latin root, while alliterate and obliterate developed through other Latin combinations involving littera.
Related word forms
How transliterated is actually used
Standard in English, especially in linguistics, name studies, cataloguing, and academic writing. Transliteration systems vary by language and purpose, so the same source word may have more than one transliterated form.
Easily confused with transliterated
Transliteration represents a word in a different writing system, whereas translation expresses its meaning in another language.