Impatient Germans translate Potter themselves

Dom · Jul 9, 2003, 04:03 PM

BERLIN (Reuters) - German Harry Potter fans, too impatient to wait for the official translation of the latest adventures of JK Rowling's child wizard, are translating the new book into German themselves on the Internet.

The latest outing for the bespectacled boy magician, "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix", is the first ever English-language book to top the German bestseller list, with sales in English estimated at around 500,000 in Germany.

It is not due to be published in German until November 8. But around 8,000 fans are already hard at work translating the brick-sized book as part of a web community.

Translators are asked to translate a couple of pages of the English original into German and as a reward receive access to the work of other translators in the community.

While there are 870 pages in the latest tome, the fifth in the series, there are already 3,000 German pages on site, as some pages are duplicated and some people have come up with different translations.

"The translations have been varied. Some are great at catching the British irony, others are very strict translations and some have tried to adapt the English into regional dialects, such as the Berlin dialect," Bernd Koeleman, who operates the site, told Reuters.

"What this shows is that, contrary to expectations, young people like translating and they take pride in it. They can't do it at school but they are doing it here of their own free will."

The website says it is non-commercial and only community members can read the finished German text to avoid contravening copyright laws.

Carlsen publishing house, which owns the German-language rights to Harry Potter, is happy with this.

"This is no problem as long as it remains within a private community," said Katrin Hogrebe, spokeswoman for the Hamburg-based publishers.

"It can become a problem if the book is printed but we have spoken to the community and they have agreed not to impinge on copyright law," Hogrebe said.

Carlsen are planning an initial print run of 1.6 million when the book is launched but is expecting more reprints.

Bild daily praised the initiative, saying: "Our children are becoming language geniuses of their own free will thanks to the book. Only magic is faster than this."

The book last month also become first English-language book to top France's bestseller list.

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Source: Reuters

nForcer · Jul 9, 2003, 04:48 PM

HA - tell them to learn English then they won't have to translate it! Ouch that was a low blow...my bad.

Jul 9, 2003, 04:03 PM	#1
Dom DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 12,940 Rep Power: 0	Impatient Germans translate Potter themselves BERLIN (Reuters) - German Harry Potter fans, too impatient to wait for the official translation of the latest adventures of JK Rowling's child wizard, are translating the new book into German themselves on the Internet. The latest outing for the bespectacled boy magician, "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix", is the first ever English-language book to top the German bestseller list, with sales in English estimated at around 500,000 in Germany. It is not due to be published in German until November 8. But around 8,000 fans are already hard at work translating the brick-sized book as part of a web community. Translators are asked to translate a couple of pages of the English original into German and as a reward receive access to the work of other translators in the community. While there are 870 pages in the latest tome, the fifth in the series, there are already 3,000 German pages on site, as some pages are duplicated and some people have come up with different translations. "The translations have been varied. Some are great at catching the British irony, others are very strict translations and some have tried to adapt the English into regional dialects, such as the Berlin dialect," Bernd Koeleman, who operates the site, told Reuters. "What this shows is that, contrary to expectations, young people like translating and they take pride in it. They can't do it at school but they are doing it here of their own free will." The website says it is non-commercial and only community members can read the finished German text to avoid contravening copyright laws. Carlsen publishing house, which owns the German-language rights to Harry Potter, is happy with this. "This is no problem as long as it remains within a private community," said Katrin Hogrebe, spokeswoman for the Hamburg-based publishers. "It can become a problem if the book is printed but we have spoken to the community and they have agreed not to impinge on copyright law," Hogrebe said. Carlsen are planning an initial print run of 1.6 million when the book is launched but is expecting more reprints. Bild daily praised the initiative, saying: "Our children are becoming language geniuses of their own free will thanks to the book. Only magic is faster than this." The book last month also become first English-language book to top France's bestseller list. _____________________ Source: Reuters

Jul 9, 2003, 04:48 PM	#2
nForcer Twice the fun! Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 1,404 Rep Power: 0	HA - tell them to learn English then they won't have to translate it! Ouch that was a low blow...my bad.