Romanised

Romanised refers to the process of representing words or names from a non-Latin alphabet, such as Greek or Cyrillic, using the Latin alphabet. This process is also known as transliteration or, in some contexts, transcription. The goal is to make these words pronounceable and recognizable to those who primarily use the Latin script.

Different systems of romanisation exist, each with its own set of rules for mapping characters and sounds. These systems can vary depending on the source language, the intended audience, and the specific purpose of the romanisation. For example, the romanisation of Chinese characters can differ significantly between the Pinyin system, commonly used in mainland China, and older systems like Wade-Giles.

The use of romanisation is widespread. It is essential for academic study, international communication, and for making foreign names and terms accessible in global media and technology. Without romanisation, many people would be unable to read or pronounce names of people, places, or concepts from cultures that do not use the Latin alphabet. While romanisation aims for accuracy, it is important to note that it is an approximation, and the exact pronunciation of the original language may not always be perfectly captured.