original character

The initial and/or intended meaning or state of something, especially if it has changed over time. Please be sure to keep the original character of the statement you are paraphrasing. I have to translate this story, and I have no idea if I'm capturing its original character. The renovations were done in keeping with the original character of the building.

Common Names:

Name	Pronounced	Usage
ZsÓKa	ZHO-kaw	Hungarian
Valerius	və-LER-ee-əs (English)	Ancient Roman
CecÍLie	-	Czech
Uschi	-	German
Sanel	-	Croatian
Durward	DUR-wərd	English