The Hindi edition of the seventh book in the Harry Potter series “Harry Potter Aur Maut Ke Tohafe” (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallow) was released by Manjul Publishing House in Bhopal recently.
The seventh book, having 724 pages, and quality and look at par with international standards, has been translated into Hindi by Sudhir Dixit and edited by Rajeev Agnihotri. All the seven volumes in Hindi will be available in a boxed set from July this year.
A lot of die-hard Harry Potter fans in India, who have read all the English books in the series, now look at making the Hindi editions a part of their collection. There is also considerable interest from collectors internationally, who, though unable to read Hindi, are nonetheless ordering them just for their collection.
Harry Potter fans in India and other countries wait patiently for their favorite book series. Unlike other books which are simultaneously released in foreign editions, the Harry Potter books (translated in 65 languages, including 4 Indian languages) are not allowed in the hands of translators until the books have been released in English. Good translating jobs can take many months, so readers must bide their time until the work is done.
Some readers make do with English editions, but if they can not read English well or at all, the edition in their native tongue is greatly welcome. Pirate editions of unauthorized translations frequently circulate, with poor translation making for a lesser experience, but placating those who just can’t wait for a well-done version. In France, those who couldn’t wait for the French translation read the English version, making the fifth Harry Potter book the first English-language book to ever top the bestseller list in that country, as reported by the BBC.
Pirated editions can be so poorly done that in an infamous incident, an illegal Spanish translation in Venezuela included admissions from the translator that he didn’t know what the original meant. “Here comes something that I’m unable to translate, sorry”, said one page. And on another, “I’m sorry, I didn’t understand what that meant.” Those responsible for the unauthorized “translation” were prosecuted.
Beyond Languages 
July 4, 2008 at 6:55 am |
Most of the unauthorized translations were most likely done for free, but if not, that’s pretty sad that a “professional” translator would actually omit part of the translation like that! When you say that they were prosecuted, I wonder what law they actually violated in Venezuela and who prosecuted them.
July 4, 2008 at 10:15 pm |
Clint, there are many reasons for translators to undertake unauthorised translations. One is a natural itch to translate the record-breaking fiction. Another can be of course a temptation to be recognised as a translator of the same.
Well, a real “PROFESSIONAL” translator would never ever undertake any unauthorised job. S/he will go through all the legal aspects of the job and complete the commercial formalities BEFORE undertaking the job.
As far as Harry Potter series is concerned, literary agency of the author takes all the care for selection of not only publisher of the translated versions, but also of translators.
Legal steps are subject to country in which the unauthorised translation is published and the team of publisher and the translator.
This is indeed a subject which requires more space and better medium for discussion. I am sure you will agree.
June 18, 2011 at 10:45 am |
that is very nice