The Romanization of Belarusian: an Unnecessary Dualism (original) (raw)

The Belarusian state employs two different systems for the romanization of geographical and personal names. Currently, a massive ignorance of the two systems for romanization of geographical and personal names can be observed in the English versions of the official websites of Belarusian public bodies, state-run media and private companies. This view is determined by the lack of effective implementation and control mechanisms, as well as erroneous extension of Art. 17 of the Constitution to the principles of romanization of geographical and personal names. In addition to effective measures within the country, a targeted involvement and promotion of correct standards for the romanization of Belarusian geographical and personal names is also needed abroad in order to overcome an unnecessary and rather subjective approach by the foreign media, experts and scholars who still romanize Belarusian names based on their personal choices and/or the self-assessed convenience of their prospective readers.