[HPforGrownups] Translations (WAS Re: Why so much waiting?)

[Maria Kirilenko]

No: HPFGUIDX 50343


Jim Ferer wrote to Moonless
Have you read each book in English *and* Spanish? If so, a lot of us
would be interested in your opinion whether the Spanish version
captures the feel of the English one, or if there are any interesting
differences.

Now me:

I'm not entirely sure it's OK to discuss this on this list, but I do want to elaborate on Jim's question.

Did *anybody* who had read the books in English and another language feel that the translation was good not only in the 'good writing' sense, but done thoughfully, with the knowledge that the books would get more and more elaborate over time, and that all clues must be preserved?

I read all the books in English, however, my first encounter with HP (PS, CoS and PoA) was in Russian. I've never read GoF in Russian, nor do I have a particular wish to.

The Russian translation is good enough for children, I suppose. The translation is quite liberal, with some remarks added in (usually by one of the Dursleys) that never appeared in English. Sometimes I still get confused when I remember something from a Russian translation, but assume I read it in English, but when I look for the phrase in the English book, it's not there! Very annoying. But, although it would be impossible to participate in a group like this not having read the books in English, they are good enough in Russian to keep your interest.

Many names were actually translated into Russian, so you'd be able to understand what they mean. But, surprisingly, the wrong names have been translated. Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw are sporting their Russian variations of the names, but Slytherin, which, I'd say, is more important for the story, just stays the same. Dumbledore is Dumbledore, and Remus Lupin in Remus Lupin. I thought it was rather indecent not to translate the name Remus into what it's supposed to sound like in Russian - Rem. (I still can't forgive myself for missing such obvious clues - OK, I didn't know that the Roman guy who was raised by a she-wolf was called Remus in English, but not realizing what his *last name* meant! I *knew* that 'lupus' means 'wolf'... well, whatever, never mind my rant).

What really annoyed me, though, was the poor quality of the writing itself. It *was not* an example of good-quality Russian language (I never thought I'd apply the word good-quality to literature <g>). It was really rather sad to see a book written in such good English language translated into a messy, obviously very quickly done book in Russian.

I know Snuffles reads HP in other languages, and I'm sure many others do, too. So, tell me - is it just the Russian translation, or are many of them bad?

Maria,

who has a cold and wonders if she is complaining too much.



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