(no subject)

[arcanetrivia]

I saw a comic today on dA where the artist's notes said they'd drawn it because in the Russian translation of Deathly Hallows, Neville was teaching not Herbology, but Potions (with predictable reaction from a now-dead Snape). (Actually the words were "Russian translators decide make Neville a Potion Master", and I can't be quite sure how they're using the word "master", whether it's in its correct context of "schoolmaster" or not, but still.) Anyone know if this is really true, and if so, where on earth they would get off randomly changing a detail like that? "Lost in Translation" (the title of the comic) doesn't quite seem to cover it!

Comments

[lunylucy.livejournal.com]

Talk about weird o_O That makes NO sense.

Found the deviation, though. I like the style.

[fera_festiva]

It's times like this I wish there was a site - sort of like the Lexicon, only good - where this sort of thing could be checked (like whether they're allowed to do that, etc).

Nevertheless - link?

[elethian.livejournal.com]

http://ngaladel.deviantart.com/art/Lost-in-translation-108720723

It's not all that funny (some of her other art is lovely though -- she draws a film-like Snape that doesn't make me go "oh man I'm so tired of film-like Snapes"). It was mainly the question it brought up of whether this was the case.

[fera_festiva]

Hmm, yes, point taken. I agree with you about how she draws Snape though - she gets the balance right. :)

[rattlesnakeroot.livejournal.com]

OMG - I hope that is true!!! *LOL*

I know that in some translations, there are differences. For instance, in some languages (Spanish? Polish? can't recall) the title of Half-Blood Prince is something like "Prince of Mystery" or "Mystery of the Prince." I love that!

[elethian.livejournal.com]

Spanish Harry Potter y el Misterio del Príncipe, yes. (Mystery of the Prince)

But then on the other side, there is the fact that in Italian "mezzosangue" (mixed-blood) is used both for half-blood (Harry Potter e il Principe Mezzosangue) and for Mudblood, I think it is (might be for Muggle-born), which rather confuses all the blood status themes in the books, I think.

Anyway, yes, differences in phrasing -- but switching around who teaches what?

[atdelphi.livejournal.com]

Hm, that's really odd. I wonder if it was a mistake or a deliberate choice. That said, I somehow missed that Neville was teaching Herbology in particular when I first read DH and thought it would be marvellous if he were teaching Defence Against the Dark Arts.

[lilyevans-snape.livejournal.com]

I'm wondering if Vizen on DA might know. Her husband is Russian and she speaks Russian. It's possible that she has read the Russian version. You might try asking her.

[lily-hbp.livejournal.com]

I saw that too!! hahaha