TRANSLITERATION AND STANDARDIZATION OF SPELLING OF FOREIGN NAMES

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP81-00706R000100220015-1
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 14
• Document Creation Date: December 23, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 11, 2013
• Sequence Number: 15
• Publication Date: December 22, 1948
• Content Type: MEMO

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steam tressutereseik 4Standardisttial it Spelling
it reedit limn
1. Saving bees designatedtPZ7Ohara= for the first
mooting to disease the above eab that
rs the
first meeting. limited to CII personnel, tabs prZra ilredmeedgy,
SS Desember /940, at 14101 la Rosa 1211 er
S. It is further proposed that at the first meting a
permanent Ohairama be decided upoa mad that the fel/awing points
related to the ahoy* **jest be tiseveseds
Traneliteratisa of Russian and Moravian-
Board it 0oegraph1e Name System-Other
systems.
b. Tremeliteratieit it 0hineee-ne4e-4i1es
Systee.Othor systems.
s. Treasliteratioa of KerememileOiseWtelsehavar
Systandfhe Old Spites.
J. J. SAOYALL
Sating Chid.
AMU* Dneneeate Mink
Ftilllit
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Acting Chief, FOB 3 December 1948
Assistant Director for Operations
Transliteration and Standardization of Spelling of Foreign Ramos
1. The attached memoranda from AD/ORE. AD/OCD, Chief,
ICAPS. end DAD/0SO indicate the desirability of a meeting to
discuss the above subject as soon as convenient to those con-
cerned.
2. It is recommended that:
a. Acting Chief, FOB be the Chairman of the
first meeting and prepare the agenda for same.
b. The committee for the first !Meeting be
limited to CIA personnel to include:
Zr. MacCarthy of ICAPS
Mr. Tidwell of ORE
of IR,OCD
of GR,OCD
of BR,OCD
of BR, OCD
of 00
of FB/8,00
qr. Daman of FDR400
c. A permanent Chairman of the committee be decided
on, at the first meeting, to monitor the project until such
time as it is ready to be turned over to IMPS for discussion
with IAC members as reoommended by the Chief, ICAPS.
GEORGE G. CAREY
End: 4
lemo k8 Oct 48 fr ORE
Memo 26 Nov 48 fr OCD
Memo 27 Oct 48 fr ICAPS
3emo 26 Oct 48 fr SO
GGC/acg
eNekc,17.1mr71-71
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Aft
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Assistant Director, 00 26 November 1948
Assistant Director, OCD
Transliteration and Standardization of Spelling of Foreign Names
Memo, Assit Dir. 00, dated 25 Oct 48, subj. as above.
1. The problem of the transliteration and standardization
of spelling of foreign names as discussed in the above referenced
memorandum has been stlidied in the Office of Collection and
Dissemination.
2. The recommendation that a committee be formed at the work?
ing level with CIA for preliminary discussion of the problems
concerned with the transliterationand standardization of foreign
names is excellent and represents a much needed step toward unifica?
tion of methods within our own organiz,-,tion. Systems for transliter?
ation of personal and geographic names have been established by the
Library of Congress, the Board on Geographical Names, the American
Council of Learned Societies, the Harvard?Yencning Institute and
other specialized or university libraries requiring accredited
language departments and research. Members of a committee for the
study of the problem within CIA should be acquainted with all such
systems in use to date. It is well to bear in mind that the scholars
and specialists working with the problems of transliteration have
in many cases evolved systems of their own which are at variance
with standardized systems. To convince such scholars that a system
other than that employed by them is technically more feasible,
practical and accurate will be difficult. It has been this atti?
tude on the part of scholars tnat has in large part prevented
standardization in the past.
3. It will be constructive indeed if CIA can arrive at defi?
nite conclusions as to :ystems to be employed, but it would be
unfortunate if any final decisions were reached before other agen?
cies and departments cacing the same problems had ;peen consulted.
To quote Mr. Carl Nelson, Department of State, Division of Biographic
Information: standardization is to be attempted it can only
succeed if the problem is studied by a group of qualified experts
representng all interested agencies, among which the Army Map Ser?
vice should be included, and backed by adequate authority to order
compliance by all agencies when a standard has been agreed upon.
An ill conceived standard might do more harm than good."
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AM IL Alb
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4, It is requested that the following persons fron. this
Office be appointed to serve on the proposed committee:
JAI ES M. kr ),1..ZIS
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STAT
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Assistant Director, Operations October 28 1948
Assistant Director, Reports and Estimates
Transliteration and Standardization of spelling of
Foreign Personal Names
1. The Office of Reports and Estimates has a definite interest
in the problems of transliteration and standardization of spelling of
foreign geographic names, has been the subject of considerable study
over the last two years. Close collaboration has been maintained with
the Board, be invited to participate in the meetings of the CIA working
level committee.
2. Mr. William A. Tidwell, Jr. is nominated as the ORE represent?
ative to the committee.
/s/
THEODORE BABBITT
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_
CONFIDE AL
Assistant Director for Operations 27 October 1948
Chief, NAYS
Transliteration and Standardization
of Spelling of Foreign Personal Names
Reference :Answering your memo of October 25
on the above subject
1. Mr. MacCarthy of ICAPs, who is currently handling a proposal
about a translation project, would like to attend early meetings about
the standardization of foreign personal names while firming up CIAls
position on this subject.
2. When the CIA position is established, it is thought that
ICAPS should then take up this matter with the IAC members in an
endeavor to arrive at a more all-incluxive agreement on this subject,
than just State's Biographic Information Division and FBIB.
3. Another thought has occured about list. Has it
been furnished to ECAP for its use and the use of the XXIV Corps?
/s/
PRESCOTT CHILDS
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26 October 1948
1ilL0hANDI.1.! FOR: ASSISTANT DIdCTOR, oFFICE OF OPERATIONS
SUBJCT: Transliteration and Standardization of Spelling
of Foreign Personal Names
RE: Your Confidential Memo dated October 25, 1948
1. This office recognizes the usefulness of some standard?
ization of transliteration of foreign names into English. However
it is not considered necessary that we be represented on a com?
mittee for the determination of procedures, usages, etc.
2. If the Director will designate one office to supply
the accepted spelling for use throughout the Agenc, we -will
be glad Li' conform.
Deputy Assistant Director
Special Operations
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STAT
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Assistant Director, 00 26 November 1948
Assistant Director, OCD
Transliteration and Standardization of Spelling of Foreign Names
Memos AssIt Dir. 00, dated 25 Oct 48, subj. as above.
1. The problem of the transliteration and standardization
of spelling of foreign names as discussed in the above referenced
memorandum has been studied in the Office of Collection and
Dissemination.
2. The recommendation that a committee be formed at the work-
ing level with CIA for preliminary discussion of the problems
concerned with the transliteration aid standardization of foreign
names is excellent and lepieseuts a much needed step toward unifica-
tion of methods within our own organization. Systems for transliter-
ation of personal and geographic names have been established by the
Library of Congress, the Board on Geographical Names, the American
Council of Learned Societies, the Harvard-Yenching Institute and
other specialized or university libraries requiring accredited
language departments and research. Members of a committee for the
study of the problem within CIA should be acquainted with all such
systems in use to date. It is well to bear in mind that the scholars
and specialists working with the problems of transliteration have
in many cases evolved systems of their own which are at variance
Ilth standardized systems. To convince such scholars that a system
other than that employed by them is technically Lore feasible,
practical and accurate will be difficult. It has been this atti-
tude on the part of scholars that has in large part prevented
standardization in the past.
3. It will be constructive indeed if CIA can arrive at defi-
nite conclusions as to systems to be employed, but it would be
unfortunate if any final decisions were reached before other agen-
cies and departments racing the same problems had been consulted.
To quote Mr. Carl Nelson, Department of State, Division of Biographic
Information: "If standardization is to be attempted it can only
succeed if the problem is studied by a group of qualified experts
representing all interested agencies, among which the Army Map Ser-
vice should be included, and backed by adequate authority to order
compliance by all agencies when a standard has been agreed upon.
An ill conceived standard might do more harm than good."
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Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release @ 50-Yr 2013/12/11:
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?2-
4. It is requested that the following persons from this
Office be appointed to serve on the proposed committee:
JA-ES M. A.ICEEWS
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STAT
. .
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26 October 1948
MEMORANDUM FOR: ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF OPERATIONS
SUBJECT: Translitaration and Standardization of Spelling
of Foreign Personal Names
RE: Your Confidential Memo dated October 25, 1948
1. This office recognizes the usefulness of some standard?
ization of transliteration of foreign names into English. However
it is not considered necessary that we be represented on a com?
mittee for the determination of procedures, usages, etc.
2. If the Director will designate one office to aupply
the accepted spelling for use throughout the Agenc, we i11
loo glad to conform.
STAT
Deput Assistant DirecLor
Special Operations
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Assistant Director, Operadons October 23 1948
Assistant Director, Reports and Estimates
Transliteration and :tandardization of spelling of
Foreign Personal Names
1. The Office of Reports and Estimates has a definite interest
in the problems of transliteration and standardizatdon of spelling of
foreign geographic names, has been the subject of considerable study
over the last two years. Close collaboration has been maintained with
the Hoard, be invited to participate in the meetings of the CIA working
level committee.
2. Ir. William A. Tidwell, Jr. is nominated as the ORE represent?
ative to the committee,
THEODORE BABBITT
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1110
CIA-RDP81-00706R000100220015-1j
Assistant Director for Operations 27 October 1948
Chief, NAPS
Transliteration and Standardization
of Spelling of Foreign Personal Names
Reference :Answering your memo of October 25
on the above subject
1. MacCarthy of ICAPs, who is currently handling a proposal
about a translation project, would like to attend early meetings about
the standnrdization of foreign personal names whle firmin1L, up CIA's
position on this subject.
2. then the CIA position is estaolished, it is thouLht that
MAPS should then take up this matter with the LAC members in an
endeavor to arrive at a more all?incluxive agreement on this subject,
than just State's biographic Information Division and FBIB.
3. Another thought has occured about
list. Has it STAT
been furnished to SCAP for its use and the use o1 the XXIV Corps?
/s/
PRESCOTT CHILDS
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