Göncöl

English translation: Starry Plough

09:40 Jul 1, 2010
Hungarian to English translations [PRO]
Science - Astronomy & Space
Hungarian term or phrase: Göncöl
Göncöl is actually the name of a racehorse featured in a long family tree, all the difficult non English names have to be translated in brackets. Here lies the problem. Göncöl? Can it only be used in relation to Göncölszekér the star constallation? This I am not sure about and although I think Göncöl sounds nice as a name for a racehorse in Hungarian, I don't much like the sound of "Big Dipper" or "Great Bear". Suggestions please, if I have to go with either of those then so be it.
amanda solymosi
Hungary
Local time: 23:08
English translation:Starry Plough
Explanation:
The most common names of the constellation are "the Big Dipper" (US, Canada) or "the Plough" (UK, Ireland), but there are several other names, e.g., "Charles' wain"; see some alternatives and names in other languages at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles'_Wain

The story of the Hungarian name of the constellation is described at http://www.gae.hu/mitologia/Ursa_Maior/UMA.htm :
"Göncöl híres táltos volt, aki az emberek közt járva gyógyította a betegeket, mindenkinek segített, beszélni tudott a fákkal és a madarakkal. Egyszer eltört szekerének rúdja, de senki nem segített neki. Haragjában a lovak közé csapott s felrepült az égbe. Azóta ott kocsizik görbe rúdú szekerén."

Today, the word "Göncöl" evokes the constellation immediately in Hungarian speakers - its etymology is much lesser known. Therefore I would rather stick to an English name that is relatively widely used for the constellation.

Among the alternatives given in http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles'_Wain , I like "Starry Plough"; while "Plough" is more widely used, "Starry Plough" would also be readily understood, and has a better ring to it.
Selected response from:

Attila Piróth
France
Local time: 23:08
Grading comment
Thanks very much, I used this. The links were also very interesting.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4Starry Plough
Attila Piróth


  

Answers


27 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
Starry Plough


Explanation:
The most common names of the constellation are "the Big Dipper" (US, Canada) or "the Plough" (UK, Ireland), but there are several other names, e.g., "Charles' wain"; see some alternatives and names in other languages at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles'_Wain

The story of the Hungarian name of the constellation is described at http://www.gae.hu/mitologia/Ursa_Maior/UMA.htm :
"Göncöl híres táltos volt, aki az emberek közt járva gyógyította a betegeket, mindenkinek segített, beszélni tudott a fákkal és a madarakkal. Egyszer eltört szekerének rúdja, de senki nem segített neki. Haragjában a lovak közé csapott s felrepült az égbe. Azóta ott kocsizik görbe rúdú szekerén."

Today, the word "Göncöl" evokes the constellation immediately in Hungarian speakers - its etymology is much lesser known. Therefore I would rather stick to an English name that is relatively widely used for the constellation.

Among the alternatives given in http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles'_Wain , I like "Starry Plough"; while "Plough" is more widely used, "Starry Plough" would also be readily understood, and has a better ring to it.

Attila Piróth
France
Local time: 23:08
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in HungarianHungarian
PRO pts in category: 4
Grading comment
Thanks very much, I used this. The links were also very interesting.
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