The names in Harry Potter

Abstract

This article discusses the translation of some of the names in J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter books into five languages. It is argued that these names are found in different dimensions, viz. (a) a British one where the author addresses a British audience, (b) the translator's perception and interpretation of this British universe, and (c) one in which readers respond to the realisations of the names in the target culture. The names are loosely divided into four categories. The first concerns the main characters, for which there is virtually only direct transfer, and the second concerns English student names that present few problems. The third comprises characters connected with the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and the last group comprises names of other characters, including some descriptive names. The article notes that translators were obliged to use the names of the main characters from the British original in order to promote the sale of merchandise. It is concluded (a) that the main characters ‘ ‘Britishness ‘ is realised only as British names without any overtones in translation, (b) that even with different target languages, it is possible to document that each translator has usea individualised and highly different approaches to the translation of the names, and (c) that the author's exploitation of adult Britons ‘ knowledge of English literature and Latin probably elicits a different response from that of readers of translations, whereas the main narrative linearities (e.g. plot, the whole Harry Potter saga) are not affected by the different strategies for translation of names.

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