[HPforGrownups] Translation problems/ Sirius Black/ Molly did so baby sit Harry/

[Richelle Votaw]

No: HPFGUIDX 43347

Phyllis writes:

> I received my adult-version UK Harry Potter paperbacks last night,
> and started reading PS.  When I got to the part when Hagrid, after
> delivering Harry to Dumbledore on Privet Dr., is ready to depart, I
> was surprised that instead of his saying "I've got to get this bike
> back to Sirius" (as my US copy reads), he instead says "I've got to
> get this bike put away."

Okay, that sort of thing really grates at my nerves.  There's a huge
difference in those two phrases!  The UK version could mean that Sirius
said, "Here, take my bike.  Don't worry about returning it, I'll send an owl
later."  Or whatever.  Which means Hagrid would have to put it away until
Sirius came back for it.  Oh, how annoying these U.S. translations are.  I
really am going to order the British version!

On another note regarding translations, the change in GoF of "one more
curse" to "one more murder."  There was speculation a while back on whose
the "one more murder" was, by U.S. readers like me, who then learned that it
wasn't supposed to say "murder" at all, but curse.  And that "one more
curse" would be the Imperious Curse to be placed on Moody, right?  That's
how I'm interpreting it, anyway.


bboy_mn writes:

> I'm pretty sure you answered your own question. Harry had a long time
> in which his hatred and anger toward Sirius could build. Then he is
> confronted by a 'heat of the battle' situation. Harry and friends are
> being held at wand point by Sirius, Sirius has just attack and broken
> the leg of his best friend (Ron), he appears to have already made two
>attempts on Harry's life, and I'm sure Harry assumes that he and his
> friends are in mortal peril; I would say emtions (fear, anger, hate)
>are running high in the moment before Harry physically attacks Sirus.

You know, what's always interested me about PoA is how complete and
consuming the hatred toward Sirius Black is.  JKR builds it to such a high
that you (at least me) as the reader literally hate him with a passion.  If
someone were to have walked in the room while I was reading PoA for the
first time and introduced himself as Sirius Black I'd have probably jumped
him and done serious damage before coming to my senses.  Yet at the end he's
our best friend and we're so pleased that he's escaped.  Incredible bit of
writing, and very much makes you feel as Harry must feel.  It's sort of a
pendelum swing of emotions.

Errol writes:

> Errol scratches his wise old head.But Grey Wolf! The Weasleys
> already knew that Harry stayed with muggles - that's one of
> the firstthings Ron asks Harry about.and how difficult would it have
> been for Authur to figure out where Harry went? After all, other
> wizarding folk *did* find Harry! Besides, Molly's mothering instincts
> are so strong,that she possibly couldn't have refrained from checking
> on Harry oncethey had bonded under such *tragic* circumstances don't
> you think?Promise to Dumbledore or no!

Well, I still say that Molly could have checked on Harry over the years.
Through Arabella Figg.  Not actually come there in any way, shape, or form,
but through some connection somewhere.  Head in the fireplace or something
(forgot what it was called, sorry).  Thus her "Poor *dear* (Emphasis already
there, not mine)--no wonder he was alone, I wondered."  I take this to mean
"no wonder he was alone, he's grown up with those horrid Muggles that hate
the sight of him"  NOT "no wonder he was alone, he's grown up with Muggles."
I could be wrong, but still, Mrs. Weasley is practically the only person
*not* to recognize Harry as Harry Potter because in her mind he's still the
traumatized baby she cared for that fateful day.  And no, she can't have
seen pictures, why would Mrs. Figg be taking Harry's picture?  Too
suspicous, that.

Well, now, must send this off before I think of something else to add and
make it even more confusing.

Richelle