The "Harry Potter" books are amongst the most widely translated books in the history of literature. Millions of readers worldwide know Harry only through translated texts. Many readers take for granted what they expect a translation to deliver - for instance, accuracy; but when they eventually turn their attention to scrutinize the translation, they are often suprised to discover discrepancies. Just what is it that readers expect of a translated text? How do these expectation match up with the defined objectives of the professional translator? What degree of poetic license may a translator take, and are compromises inevitable? Is it at all possible to produce a "perfect" translation? And what are the particular difficulties involved in translating the Harry Potter books?
This presentation will provide an insight into the dilemmas and quandaries facing an "official" Harry Potter translator, through the personal anecdotes of one translator: for instance, how does one translate "God rest ye merry Hippogriffs" for readers who are unfamiliar with Christmas carols? Why is a sherbet lemon like a krembo, and what is a krembo anyway? I will describe my actual work process, including the extent of my interaction with the author, and the "quality control" measures developed over time by myself and by the Israeli publishers; and I'll attempt to share some of my solutions, and give English speakers a taste of the uniqueness of the Hebrew translation.