Waspy Snape

[Talisman]

No: HPFGUIDX 78439

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, Carolin Mönkemeyer 
<shokoono at g...> wrote:
> 
>Talisman, reviewing her field-guide to insects, notes> > I've only 
noticed one character who is described in waspish terms.
> >
> > "Snape prowled through the fumes, making waspish remarks about 
the Gryffindors . . .."  (CoS 186)
> >
> > "`I am here on Dumbledore's orders,' said Snape, whose voice, by
> > contrast, was becoming more and more quietly waspish . . .." (OoP
> > 518)

Finchin replies:
I have the German copy  ... o[f] the books and if it would be so 
important as you suggest, it would have been in there too,
> wouldn't it? <snip> . . .because something like that in German 
would sound very odd. For it isn't there and nothing that comes 
close to it that suggests a wasp ...<snip>

Talisman, who is not sure what we would find if we compared all 
translations, but is interested, asks:

With what word does the German translation replace "waspish?" 

Even if the word is an important clue it might not be in your 
version, for the very reason that, as you seem to be saying, the 
term "waspish" doesn't translate well in German. 

Perhaps if you would share the German term(s) with us we could see 
some other connection.

The alternate words might illuminate the original usage. Or not.  
Unfortunately trope, like poetry, often suffers in translation.

Talisman, who is bringing her dragon-hide gloves, just in case.