Portuguese version of the prophecy

[Brenda M.]

No: HPFGUIDX 111203

>>> Susana wrote:
> The literal English translation of the Portuguese version of the 
prophecy goes like this:
> 
> 'The one *who holds* the power to *defeat* the Dark Lord 
approaches. born *of* those who have thrice defied him, born *when* 
the seventh month *ends* . and the Dark Lord will mark him as his 
equal, but he will have *a* power the Dark Lord knows not . and *one* 
must die at the *hands* of the other for neither can live while the 
other survives . the one *who holds* the power to *defeat* the Dark 
Lord will be born *when* the seventh month *ends* .'
> 
> The original for comparison is:
> 
> 'The one *with* the power to *vanquish* the Dark Lord approaches. 
born *to* those who have thrice defied him, born *as* the seventh 
month *dies* . and the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he 
will have * power the Dark Lord knows not . and *either* must die at 
the *hand* of the other for neither can live while the other 
survives . the one *with* the power to *vanquish* the Dark Lord will 
be born *as* the seventh month *dies* .' <<<


Brenda now:

I met the Portuguese translator and her daughter at the Convention 
Alley 2004! She was a very nice lady. She told me and my friends that 
she was extremely careful in translating Jo's writing, because 
particular choice of working often holds clues to future plots.

Translators are also in contact with JKR to make sure they are not 
ruining anything, so naturally they are exposed to more spoilers than 
us!

Comparing the Portuguese version of prophecy to the original, the 
only major difference I see is "a power" vs. "power", and "hand" 
vs. "hands". Everything else seems to be just the grammar thing.

As for whether the difference is significant -- sorry, I don't 
remember her explaining why she made such changes. She just said she 
was especially cautious with the prophecy.

So no need to get her in trouble with long line-up of angry mob - yet!


Brenda