We had problems with a Ukrainian refugee we helped because certified translations of her documents did not match. Her name was transliterated the German way in one place and the English way in another.

Those are translations coming from professionals who swore an oath. Don’t try to do it with code.

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int_19h 7 months ago | parent | next [-]

This actually sounds like the translator didn't do their job properly. Most countries have detailed official guidelines on how to transliterate names into Latin script, because they need that to issue internationally recognized passports. For Ukrainian, the relevant standard is https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/55-2010-%D0%BF

The real problem here is that transliteration rules depend on the source language, and you often don't have the context to distinguish that (e.g. the name can be spelled identically in Russian, Bulgarian, and Ukrainian, yet transliterations will be different). And even where you do have sufficient context, this still requires the system to be able to handle any source language that can be potentially thrown at it, which is just about anything. So it never gets implemented properly in practice.

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hyeonwho4 7 months ago | parent | prev [-]

In the US, you can generally specify to your certified translators how you want proper names and place names written. I would suggest you or your friend talk to the translators again so that everything matches. It will also minimize future pains.

Also, USCIS usually has an "aliases" field on their forms, which would be a good place to put German government misspellings.

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77pt77 7 months ago | parent [-]

USCIS is a mess.

I know someone that still doesn't know whether they have a middle name as far as american authorities are concerned.

Coupled with "two last names" and it gets really messy, really quickly.

Purchases names don't match the CC name.

Bank statements are actually "for another person".

Border crossings are now extra spicy.

And "pray" that your name doesn't resemble a name in some blacklist.

	▲	hyeonwho4 7 months ago \| parent [-]
		That's exactly the kind of mess we're hoping to avoid. I think these name problems are pretty common everywhere, though: even in Korea, where bureaucratic tasks are quite streamlined compared to Europe, foreigners whose names are too long get dashes in their official ID. Which official name goes into bank accounts and stuff. Pity the poor souls whoese bank ID doesn't match the telecom ID used for online and mobile ID verification during transactions...and during taxes.