[HPforGrownups] Hogwarts and Warthogs (was: JKR punning names)

[Stacey Nunes-Ranchy]

No: HPFGUIDX 160678

SSSusan wrote:
<snip>Still, I wonder WHY the play on "warthog" for JKR? Why use a twist
on *warthogs* for a name which will be getting such page time in her
series? Does JKR have a fondness for warthogs? Is there something
significant about warthogs? Do they have secrets gifts? :) <snip>


If there’s any significance to the beast, it’s going to be completely lost
in translation for the French.  While I haven’t read any of the books
entirely in French, I do know that Hogwarts is called “Poudlard” (pou de
lard translated loosely as hog’s wart) whereas the actual beast, warthog, is
phacochère in French, no reference to warts at all.  If there is, or will
be, any significance in relation to the animal, the French editors are going
to have to get mighty creative to make some sense of it.

Jeux de mots always pose difficulties for translators/ interpretors and
consequently, true fans often opt for the VO (version originelle) to
experience all the subtleties of the author’s original.  Personally, I think
it’s a complete folly to have an American version of the HP series.  They
need to give American youths (and us old folk fans) a little more credit.
If we can understand the workings of the Wizarding World through context, we
can certainly manage a few « pot plants », « fringe » and even a « spotted
dick » or two ( the latter of which was left as is if I’m not mistaken?).
Besides which, it’s a good exercise in broadening the mind.


With humble apologies to Professor Trelawney,

Stacey