Abstract of Paper to be Presented at Accio 2008

Lost in Translation? The Harry Potter Canon on Film

Gillian Hall

Voltaire wrote of translators: Woe to the makers of literal translations, who by rendering every word weaken the meaning. The Harry Potter films are translations of the original novels. However, conformity to the original is by no means the only criterion by which translations are to be scrutinized. J. K. Rowling’s books are a phenomenon in the world of publishing and huge expectations are vested in their filmic adaptations. Many reviewers focus on the extent to which the plots are mirrored in the films. However, in order for us to give the films balanced consideration, it is necessary to widen the scope of the debate. In the final analysis, are the films merely over-literal renditions of the texts or do they gain fresh life in translation?