Anagrams in foreign languages

[Sabine]

I know there are a few threads going about anagrams, mods.

But I want to try that from a very different point of view.

Things started when I read an angagram in the Neville, Voldemort and a lot of gum thread.

Recently it occured to me that this could not work. Because if JKR would have wanted "Droobles Best Blowing gum" to really mean something important than she would have made sure that this holds true for the languages HP is translated in too.

It works for the german edition with the well known anagram:

Tom Marvolo Riddle
=
I am Lord Voldemort

this is made to fit in the german translation. The name of Toms grandfather had to be changed to fit the demand. In the german edition it goes:

Tom Vorlost Riddle
=
ist Lord Voldemort

Since there are so many countries represented in this forum we could try if this holds true for other languages and if so we could try to find out if the many anagrams that have been found this far do work for the translations as well.

Sabine

[sindatur]

Excellent idea Sabine. Once and for all we can get past the endless back and forth arguments of Anagrams everywhere you look. Mind you, I'm not trashing either side of that debate, but it often gets heated and neither side has had enough evidence to be as agressive as they sometimes get (not that they should be that agressive even if they had evidence to back it up, but you get what I mean, don't you?). I think this topic will answer once and for all, if there really are more legitimate anagrams, or if it's an idea that's already played out, with Voldemort example you started the topic with.

[Isaraniel]

I don't think the translators will know whether a name holds an anagram or not. Of course they knew about the Lord Voldemort, because it's said in the book. But I highly doubt Rowling would let them know if a name holds an anagram if it's not in the book.

I highly doubt there are more anagrams in the books anyway. I don't think Rowling would do the same trick over and over again. Maybe there are, but just for fun, and not very important.

[sindatur]

I see your Point Isaraniel and agree it wouldn't neccessarily hold up through 80 or 90 different translated languages, but, I'll bet, if there are more anagrams, they would hold true in the major languages (English, German, French, Chinese, Spanish) that make up the bulk of the percentage of readership.

[No offense to anyone who speaks a language different from the list was meant, no intention of belittling your language, but I believe the major percentage of the readership would be in those languages.]

[Dedalus Diggle]

Great idea, Sabine, but then I would say so, since I suggested it on the 'Neville, Voldemort, etc.' thread a half hour before you began this thread. :-P Actually though you deserve whatever credit's due for your excellent catch on the German translation. I suppose it helps being bilingual. Ich verstehe eine kleine Deutsche.

One thing to watch out for is that the anagrams in the other languages do not have to be perfect literal translations. For instance "I am Lord Voldemort" translates into German literally as "Ich bin Lord Voldemort," but instead "ist Lord Voldemort" was used. If it had been literal, the name would have had to have been something like Tom vonLorbich Riddle. ;-D

There must be HP fansites with discussions like these. Perhaps someone could review those in the languages he or she can also speak (pretty pointless otherwise) and report back. As if you all didn't have enough homework.

[Dedalus]

Anagrams have been noted in most countries, since, as you say, they've changed Tom Marvolo Riddle to mean the equivelent of "I Am Lord Voldemort" in the country's own tongue ...

In Dutch it's Marten Asmodom Vilijn (Mijn naam is Voldemort)
In Norwegian it's Tom Drodelo Venster (Voldemort den store)
In Swedish it's Tom Gus Mervolo Dolder (Ego sum Lord Voldemort)
In French it's Tom Elvis Jedusor (Je suis Voldemort)

... And so on.

So yeah, some anagrams are taken into account and that might discredit anagram theories of other things. But, even though I do think a lot of the anagram theories are just stretching it and probably not true, I still don't think it's absolute proof because it can be made to work later on in another way, if not by an anagram, if it was overlooked as an anagram in another language. The "I Am Lord Voldemort" anagram was a little hard to overlook since it took place in the very same book.

[Sabine]

Great idea, Sabine, but then I would say so, since I suggested it on the 'Neville, Voldemort, etc.' thread a half hour before you began this thread. :-P

Actually I was about to answer you there and then decided not to, so as to not further disturb ongoing discussions there :-P

:lol: :lol:

@ Isaraniel:

I think JKR is extremly observant with things that connect with HP. I agree with sindatur ... IF there would be any further anagram that really meant some important to the story than she would have made sure, that it would be there to find for all of the readers and not just for those who read the books in english.

So what are there for other anagrams to have a look at?

Sabine

[Jessica]

Did the Riddle connotattion remain in all the other langauges?

I'm told that it did in the French. But I'm not smart enough to know those other languages that Dedalus cited!

[Dedalus Diggle]

Anagrams have been noted in most countries, since, as you say, they've changed Tom Marvolo Riddle to mean the equivelent of "I Am Lord Voldemort" in the country's own tongue ...


In French it's Tom Elvis Jedusor (Je suis Voldemort)


Am I the only one who finds it hard to fear a Dark Lord named 'Elvis?'

[Dedalus]

I'm told that it did in the French. But I'm not smart enough to know those other languages that Dedalus cited!
Admittedly, neither am I. I just looked them up :whistle:

Atleast Elvis is his middle name, Dedalus Diggle. It could have been worse!

[Sabine]

Admittedly, neither am I. I just looked them up :whistle:

Atleast Elvis is his middle name, Dedalus Diggle. It could have been worse!

Yeah -- Imagine --- the Scene in the MoM would be completely ruined if Dumbledore had to say ELVIS instead of Tom :lol: :lol:

Sabine

[rotsiepots]

I think JKR is intelligent enough to inform her translators of any potentially important anagrams coming up in future books. She fills the screenwriters in with information petertaining to future plots, so why not translators? They're just as important.

For example, if an anagram of "St Mungo's Hospital" was particularly important I'm sure she tell the translators, so they could manipulate letters to make the anagram fit.

Sabine: what's the German name for St Mungo's? Is it just St Mungo's Krankenhaus?

[Sabine]

The name for St. Mungos in the german edition is:

St.-Mungos-Hospital für magische Krankheiten und Verletzungen

There is a page where some names are listed in different languages. http://www.eulenfeder.de/int/index.html

You can see there that, f.i. they stuck to the Mirror of erised "theme"

they call it "Nerhegeb" and thats Begehren and means desire.

Sabine

[sawyer]

I add italian version:
Tom Orvoloson Riddle
Io son Lord Voldemort

[ginnybatbogeysyou]

In Dutch it's Marten Asmodom Vilijn (Mijn naam is Voldemort)

Fot those of you that don't speak Dutch: Mijn naam is Voldemort means My name is Voldemort.

And the Dutch mirror of Erised is called the mirror of Neregeb, which means begeren, and that means desire.

[rotsiepots]

The name for St. Mungos in the german edition is:

St.-Mungos-Hospital für magische Krankheiten und Verletzungen

There is a page where some names are listed in different languages. http://www.eulenfeder.de/int/index.html

You can see there that, f.i. they stuck to the Mirror of erised "theme"

they call it "Nerhegeb" and thats Begehren and means desire.

Sabine

Krankheiten und Verletzungen doesn't have the same ring as Maladies and Injuries, does it? Well, Verletzungen translates quite well, but a krankheit just doesn't seem as "quaint" as malady, I suppose.

Someone thought of a good anagram for St Mungo's and I'm just trying to recall what it was. I wonder if we can make the same sense out of the German version?

[Sabine]

Krankheiten und Verletzungen doesn't have the same ring as Maladies and Injuries, does it? Well, Verletzungen translates quite well, but a krankheit just doesn't seem as "quaint" as malady, I suppose.

Someone thought of a good anagram for St Mungo's and I'm just trying to recall what it was. I wonder if we can make the same sense out of the German version?


So far I've only stumbled over that anagrams for Drooble's Best Blowing Gum

there is one that says: Goblins were sold tomb bug

Thats the one that actually got me thinking the first time along the "other languages"-line and I found out that in the german edition Drooble's best blowing gum is named Bubbels bester Blaskaugummi and it just doesn't work.

And because you mentioned St. Mungos .... Droobles best blowing gum is (I found that on the Neville, Voldemort and a lot of gum thread too) is also an anagram for Gold bribe below St. Mungos.

But since we have in the german text not a single "o" it doesn't work either.

Was that the one you were looking for?

Sabine

edit:

For the maladys:

there are two different meanings in german for malady

One is "die Krankheit" and the other is "tiefsitzendes Übel" (so if I translate that word by word the english impression would be engrained amiss/evil) in my opinion this would fit better - but this translator just never asks me :sigh: :sigh: Sometimes I think he should be tortured for some of his translations :grumble: :censored:

Sabine

[rotsiepots]

Sabine, agreed. Krankenheit is far too "standard" a word to be used in place of malady. I haven't had the chance to read the German translations yet, but I'm sure I'll get around to it one day. :)

I just attempted to rearrange "Bubbels bester Blaskaugummi" (which I think is quite a divine translation) but realised, almost immediately, that it was impossible due to the rather obvious lack of Os. I don't think the English anagram can be of much importance then.

The Perseus Evans theory could still be applied to the German translation, though. :D

[Serpentine]

The Perseus Evans theory could still be applied to the German translation, though.

In German it still works, yes... but it doesn't e.g. in French (Severus Rogue) or Dutch (Severus Sneep). :sigh:

I checked out some forums in German and French, they seem to be dormant now. But I guess that'll change as soon as the translated versions are in the bookstores. :p I heard that the Italian translation has already appeared a couple of days ago, the German one is due next Saturday, and the French one will appear in December.

[Jonny Boy]

Gute Idee. Danke

[Doggy]

In Swedish it's Tom Gus Mervolo Dolder (Ego sum Lord Voldemort)
I would just like to point out that the "Ego sum" is Latin (I think) and not Swedish. If it was Swedish it would be "jag är Lord Voldemort". I guess that's because they couldn't work the "ä" into his name, so they took the (I think) Latin translation.

[UselessCharmMaster]

Yeah -- Imagine --- the Scene in the MoM would be completely ruined if Dumbledore had to say ELVIS instead of Tom :lol: :lol:

Sabine

:lol: Snape to Dumbledore: Elvis is alive! He will be back soon! Look at my Dark Mark!

Hagrid: Elvis wasn't human, so he can't be dead, Harry.

Death Eaters at the graveyard: Elvis! Elvis! A miracle!
Voldie *can't help himself singing*: Love me tender...

Just wonderful. :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

[Sabine]

:rotfl: :rotfl:

Well after all .... It is an angram .... Elvis lives

:rotfl: :rotfl:

*has a hysterical breakdown*

Sabine

[Constant Vigilance]

I always knew Elvis was not dead!

The HP books have been published in at least 3 spanish speaking countries (Argentina, México, Spain) My CoS is argentinian and they just put this:
TOM MARVOLO RIDDLE
I AM LORD VOLDEMORT
(Yo soy Lord Voldemort)

The translator (who signed N.N.!) just took it easy. I've read the last 2 in english, so no idea about St Mungos'.

By the way I found out Trevor was a toad reading an interview were JKR complained about the translator saying he was a turtle. Honest! So there are all kind of translations. Oh, yes the chilean pirated translation. My dad has it, I just got to read it. Saw some pages and its positively, absolutely preposperous. A gem of freak misstranslating. The Plan 9 fron Outher Space of Translations! If I get it next week from my dad, I'll post how they messed up St Mungos scene.

[Jill]

I found this anogram for albus percival wolfric brian dumbledore:

Vampire's full-blooded, barbaric, cruel win.

So is this suggesting that a vampire is going to kill Dumbledore. Who do we think might be a vampire, hmm....Snapes had a lot of references based upon how he looks like a malevolent bat, etc....Its interests me some what.

Barbaric is a word J.K.Rowling would use, what with the wizard chest and hermione saying thats barbaric.

[Constant Vigilance]

I found this anogram for albus percival wolfric brian dumbledore:

Vampire's full-blooded, barbaric, cruel win.

So is this suggesting that a vampire is going to kill Dumbledore. Who do we think might be a vampire, hmm....Snapes had a lot of references based upon how he looks like a malevolent bat, etc....Its interests me some what.

Barbaric is a word J.K.Rowling would use, what with the wizard chest and hermione saying thats barbaric.

No it sugests that if a vampire attaks DD he'l go barbaric, mince the vampire with Godric's sword and win the fight, retaining all of his blood. The Vamp would consider this cruel. The " 's " is the sss sound vamps do wen you cruely mince them.

101 posts. Horray! (Does the 101 post dance)

[Jill]

No it sugests that if a vampire attaks DD he'l go barbaric, mince the vampire with Godric's sword and win the fight, retaining all of his blood. The Vamp would consider this cruel. The " 's " is the sss sound vamps do wen you cruely mince them.

101 posts. Horray! (Does the 101 post dance)

:lol: :lol: funny you.

Yeh but theres another one too, look:

Vampire's ill-founded, barbaric, cruel blow.

Well I think that suggests that kind of sums up Snape as cruel and that he is going to kill Dumbledore.

Noooo........Its Snape killing Dumbeldore

Oh and :clap: 101 posts :wow:

[Sabine]

So far I've scoured german HP-forums for anagrams .... but they don't seem to be very interessted in them. It's not at all an issue for them :(

So we have to look on our own.

And Jill - let me assure you there ist just NO WAY that our beloved Snape would kill Dumbledore ;)

Sabine

[Jill]

So far I've scoured german HP-forums for anagrams .... but they don't seem to be very interessted in them. It's not at all an issue for them :(

So we have to look on our own.

And Jill - let me assure you there ist just NO WAY that our beloved Snape would kill Dumbledore ;)

Sabine

ok I might have notice a little mistake, is it wulfric or wolfric. I hope its the latter because if its not, I am going to have to get rid of an o and put a u in its place somewhere. Dam...Dam....Dam.....

[Constant Vigilance]

Is anybody good at languages?
Harry Potter has been translated into oriental languages like Urdu, Japaneese, Chinesee, Vietnameese and now Hindi. Anybody know if it is possible to make anagrams in those languages? I guess some don't even have an alfabet. How do you write Harry Potter in an ideogram? Maybe a lightning rune.

Anybody knows how to say Snape in this languages? Snape San?

And Jill - let me assure you there ist just NO WAY that our beloved Snape would kill Dumbledore ;)

Sabine
Hear! Hear! And he is beloved. I love to hate him.

[Jill]

Is anybody good at languages?
Harry Potter has been translated into oriental languages like Urdu, Japaneese, Chinesee, Vietnameese and now Hindi. Anybody know if it is possible to make anagrams in those languages? I guess some don't even have an alfabet. How do you write Harry Potter in an ideogram? Maybe a lightning rune.

Anybody knows how to say Snape in this languages? Snape San?


Hear! Hear! And he is beloved. I love to hate him.

Hey don't gang up on me, I love Snape too but it horrified me to see that come out the way it did. Ok so the vampire could be Voldermort. I am sorry but I can not speak even proper english let alone another language.

[Sabine]

the right name is Wulfric sorry to spoil that for you.

Sabine

And I do speak german and "can manage§ english somehow - but thats about it.

[vagos]

I'll add the greek anagram of Voldie.

Anton Morvol Hert
arhon Voldemort(Lord Voldemort)

This is written with latin letters.I'll put it with greek letters as well:
Άντων Μόρβολ Χερτ
Άρχων Βόλντεμορτ

[Jill]

the right name is Wulfric sorry to spoil that for you.

Sabine

And I do speak german and "can manage§ english somehow - but thats about it.

Oh no, ok so I have to just replace an o with a u. hmm....must be close to one though.

Your english is better than mine and I am english.

Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore

Edited for corrections and found theses, there not as good but they are there:

Awful blubbered vampiric scoundrel liar

Obscurer, unlawful, vampiric, idle dabbler

Befuddle well-run, vampiric, barbaric soul

Blubbered well-run, vampiric, social fraud

Now for a bit of fun,

A crude, awful, vampiric bullnose dribbler

What do you think?

[SerpentSword]

Dear Mrs.rotsie Pots!

Due To Your Stupidity On My Outwar Hidden Link, I Have Decided To Tell You This! Youa Re A Crack Sniffing Moron Who Is In Love With Mr. Mason! Nerrr You **** Hooligan! Be Quiet! Nerrrrr Beep Beep Stupid Watcher! Nerr Brussle Sprouts!

__________________

[rotsiepots]

Edit: Thanks for the kind words, SerpentSword. I've banned you now. Have a pleasant day. :)

This (http://www.cjvlang.com/Hpotter/names/wizards.html) website has a wonderful selection of HP names in Japanese, Chinese and Vietnamese (they include the language characters, as well as the English equivalents).

It looks like the Japanese have just "translated" to the English character names (eg Tomu Ridoru (Tom Riddle), Vorudemooto (Voldemort), Ririi Pottaa (Lily Potter) ). Don't forget that the "L" sound in Japanese is non-existent, hence the reason for all those Rs.

Hee hee, Arthur's name in Japanese is Aasaa.

[Sabine]

Jill I'm going to broad over them a while if there is something to that meaning in german. But since I don't think they would change Dumbledores name there would always be the english anagram that could be found in there.

the german edition is due tonight and I'm going to look if I can snatch it from my daughter as soon as possible to check on Dumbledore. :)

rotsiepots - thanks for that link - my daughter just loved it - she is "learning" Japanese on her own somehow and liked the site.

She says I should tell you that you have to pronounce the R's just like our L's because they don't speak the R's. Every vowel is spoken - so if there is Aasaa you have to speak every a to get it right :)

Sabine

[Serpentine]

Blubbered well-run, vampiric, social fraud

Hee hee... reminds me of dear old Trelawney. She has also been compared to a bat. :p

Befuddle well-run, vampiric, barbaric soul

Umbridge and her vampiric quill? :elaugh:

Seriously, if there's a hidden meaning in another anagram - which could be possible, with JKR's love for funny names and word-games -, then I don't think she'd use Dumbledore's name for it. It holds material for some nice and funny words (could he have anything to do with cauliflower? :p ), but if you use the full name you get more rubbish than real meaning.

The anagram in Alice's gum (Gold bribe below St Mungo's) sounds intriguing though, and quite probable with Malfoy's donations and the Devil's Snare appearing in the ward. Maybe JKR just "forgot" to tell the translators, because it would spoil the surprise in the next books? I wouldn't put it past her. :evil:

[Cat]

Speaking of things in foreign languages - the best translations are Dutch!

The O.W.L.s become S.L.I.J.M.B.A.L (which means 'slime' I think) which stands for 'Schriftelijke Lofuiting wegens IJver, Magische Bekwaamheid en Algeheel Leervermogen' and I don't know what that means.

N.E.W.T.s become P.U.I.S.T ('pimple', I think) which stands for 'Proeve van 'proof of exceptional intelligence and superior magic'.

'S.P.E.W' which has to be translated into both an organisation for house-elves and an amusing word becomes 'Stichting Huiself voor Inburgering en Tolerantie' which is the house-elf foundation for *dunno* and tolerance. It's initials are... well, perhaps you should work it out.

[Constant Vigilance]

Speaking of things in foreign languages - the best translations are Dutch!

The O.W.L.s become S.L.I.J.M.B.A.L (which means 'slime' I think) which stands for 'Schriftelijke Lofuiting wegens IJver, Magische Bekwaamheid en Algeheel Leervermogen' and I don't know what that means.

N.E.W.T.s become P.U.I.S.T ('pimple', I think) which stands for 'Proeve van 'proof of exceptional intelligence and superior magic'.

'S.P.E.W' which has to be translated into both an organisation for house-elves and an amusing word becomes 'Stichting Huiself voor Inburgering en Tolerantie' which is the house-elf foundation for *dunno* and tolerance. It's initials are... well, perhaps you should work it out.


In spanish (at least in my editions) OWLS are TIMO (swindle) and NEWTS are ÉXTASIS (as in ecstasy, an odd choice for a kid's book).

[Sabine]

The name of Albus Dumbledore remaines unchanged in the german edition.

I'm not really a "friend" of all those anagrams ... I think its more or less some coincidence.

But what strikes me is the actual length of Dumbledores name...

Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore

I mean - what is this supposed to show? Is it just underlining his importance (who needed that in addition to everything else?)

As far as I know all the other wizard ins this book only have two names - Why are there so many for Albus?

Sabine

[Jill]

The name of Albus Dumbledore remaines unchanged in the german edition.

I'm not really a "friend" of all those anagrams ... I think its more or less some coincidence.

But what strikes me is the actual length of Dumbledores name...

Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore

I mean - what is this supposed to show? Is it just underlining his importance (who needed that in addition to everything else?)

As far as I know all the other wizard ins this book only have two names - Why are there so many for Albus?

Sabine

Well I think it is his status, there was a saxon a great saxon known as Godric who had a son named Wulfric, so perhaps Dumbledore comes from Godrics blood line.

http://www.goldstraw.net/godric/pafg01.htm#183

Bit of history about Godric (a Saxon lord). Emphasis on Lord because Voldermort is known as the dark lord, suggesting that Salavar might have been a lord himself. The date of 1066 suggests that this Godric was alive when Hogwarts was founded over 1000 years ago.

http://itsa.ucsf.edu/~snlrc/britannia/maldon/maldonbattle.html

In the link above there where two Godrics in that battle, one that betrayed there lord and abandoned him during the Maldon battle and the other who stayed and thought a loyal and brave battle in revenge for that abandonment. It cost the second Godric his life but he was everything that Gryffindor stood for, where as salavar might have been the other Godric mentioned in the battle, that thought only about himself and ran to save his own life. That is so typical of a slytherin.

Percival has always caught my eye because in always reminds me of the Weasleys, so maybe there is a blood connection there too.

I was also wondering whether anyone realised that the phrase 'love of playing the hero...' stated by Harry in chapter 37, The Lost Prophecy, page 723, english version. This is an anogram for:

he pray of the long veil

[Jessica]

I'm curious about Tom's middle name in the translated books. Do they still say that his middle name was after his maternal grandfather?

I'm asking because there is a theory going around that Marvolo was Grindelwald's first name. SO I wonder if that detail (the maternal grandfather) is consistent thorughout the translations.

Also do you think the poor French people wer told that Elvis was Tom Riddle's maternal grandfather? Talk about confusion :)

[Sabine]

I'm curious about Tom's middle name in the translated books. Do they still say that his middle name was after his maternal grandfather?

I'm asking because there is a theory going around that Marvolo was Grindelwald's first name. SO I wonder if that detail (the maternal grandfather) is consistent thorughout the translations.

Also do you think the poor French people wer told that Elvis was Tom Riddle's maternal grandfather? Talk about confusion :)

In the german version we are told that Tom has that middle name "Vorlost" from his Grandfather.

If this Grindlewald theory will hold true, than we will have to have some Elvis Grindlewald for the French and some Vorlost Grindelwald for the german a.s.o.

Sabine

[Jessica]

Somehow the idea of Dumbledore fighting an evil dark wizard named Elvis Grindelwald just doesn't work for me. ;)

I keep picturing a nasty demon wearing a glittery polyester jumpsuit!

[Sabine]

Somehow the idea of Dumbledore fighting an evil dark wizard named Elvis Grindelwald just doesn't work for me. ;)

I keep picturing a nasty demon wearing a glittery polyester jumpsuit!

This is hard... with this special hair-do and that swing in the hips???

Would be extra-hard on Dumbledore to get rid of him, afterall he loves music
:rotfl:

Sabine

[viktorija_hp]

I Croatian translation there was:
TOM MARVOLO RIDDLE
I AM LORD VOLDEMORT
(Ja sam Lord Voldemort)
So there is nothing different! But translator did one big mistake. He translated Crookshanks like Krivonja - and that is female name/word!!!
I hope he/she didn't do similar mistakes in book 5 - book is coming up in Thursday,11th November in 11.11am!

[sscourtney]

In Slovene his name is Mark Neelstin(Tom Marvollo Riddle),his anagram is Mrlakenstein...

[RAC wEASLEY]

In Mexico they do change the name:

TOM SORVOLO RYDDLE = SOY LORD VOLDEMORT (I am Lord Voldemort)

[UselessCharmMaster]

Sorvolo? :huh:

I saw the French translation - they changed some characters' names, too! Snape is Rogue, Hooch is Bibine, Moody is Maugrey... a little odd.

This is hard... with this special hair-do and that swing in the hips???

Yes, it would be hard to hit him with a spell, don't you think? :elaugh:

[Guardian Angel]

In Serbian:

TOM MARVOLO RIDL

JA SAM LORD VOLDEMOR

As you can probably see, Serbian translators didn't bother making the proper angaram. They just translated it.

(Ridl = Riddle because we write as we read)

[LoenaLeeflan]

Actually, the Severus Snape/Perseus Evans anagram is possibly carried through in the Dutch translations. First, I wondered why Lily's last name Evans (which isn't too weird in Dutch, and it's very pronouncable) was changed to 'Evers'. Then it occured to me: Severus Sneep (= the Dutch name of Severus Snape ;)) hasn't got an 'a' in it's name.

Severus Sneep = ussneep Evers = Penseus Evers ;)?

I can't think of a normale name that I can make with the 'ussneep', but why would they have changed Lilys name if it wasn't for this one?

[phoenixsong]

Ooo, good catch, LoenaLeeflan! One more check in the Severus Snape/ Severus Sneep =Perseus Evans/Penseus Evers theory column!

[ginnybatbogeysyou]

First, I wondered why Lily's last name Evans (which isn't too weird in Dutch, and it's very pronouncable) was changed to 'Evers'.
Did you also notice that the much discussed Mark Evans in chapter 1 is translated as Mark Evers? Looks like the translator really paid attention this time.

He also got the right translation for Ogden, which was already given in book 2.

[LoenaLeeflan]

Did you also notice that the much discussed Mark Evans in chapter 1 is translated as Mark Evers? Looks like the translator really paid attention this time.

He also got the right translation for Ogden, which was already given in book 2.

Yeah, I noticed, he got them all :). 'Klare', 'Fanielje' enz. He even go the M - A - G - I - C phonenumber. I suppose the translators are notified of this kind of things, because it would be quite an 'Ooooops' if they missed it. That makes it even more intriguing that 'Evans' was changed into 'Evers', though I still haven't found something that even reminds me of a name that can be formed with 'ussneep' ;).

[ginnybatbogeysyou]

That makes it even more intriguing that 'Evans' was changed into 'Evers', though I still haven't found something that even reminds me of a name that can be formed with 'ussneep' ;).
How about 'sneepus'? That sounds a bit Harry Potter-isch and it still sounds a bit like Snape.

[LoenaLeeflan]

How about 'sneepus'? That sounds a bit Harry Potter-isch and it still sounds a bit like Snape.

Nah ;). I'm also wondering why he didn't make it Evens, because then it would be Perseus Evens.
I stick to the option someone above gave: they'll invent a stupid middle name and everything will be fine then :).

[Dedalus Diggle]

How about 'sneepus'? That sounds a bit Harry Potter-isch and it still sounds a bit like Snape.

Or maybe the name was Sue Pens Evers and he got a sex change when he changed his name - talk about dedication! :rotfl: :lol: :wow:

[LoenaLeeflan]

Or maybe the name was Sue Pens Evers and he got a sex change when he changed his name - talk about dedication! :rotfl: :lol: :wow:

:D That's a funny one ;).

I came up with a really bad name. But, as the translator has thought up some really bad names, it might be just as possible as Sneepus... which isn't too weird after all, I guess :). My thought is = Nepneus. (For those of you who don't speak Dutch, it means: Fakenose).

But, before we get totally off topic: this is an anagram possibly carried through in Dutch, maybe in other languages as well?

[grinsp2]

Am I the only one who finds it hard to fear a Dark Lord named 'Elvis?' no no your not the onl one

[ginnybatbogeysyou]

My thought is = Nepneus. (For those of you who don't speak Dutch, it means: Fakenose).

:lol:

How about Nepenus? Sounds a bit more normal. Poor Snape, being called 'fakenose'. Surely that would leave a trauma.

[Grapez]

Anagrams have been noted in most countries, since, as you say, they've changed Tom Marvolo Riddle to mean the equivelent of "I Am Lord Voldemort" in the country's own tongue ...

In Dutch it's Marten Asmodom Vilijn (Mijn naam is Voldemort)
In Norwegian it's Tom Drodelo Venster (Voldemort den store)
In Swedish it's Tom Gus Mervolo Dolder (Ego sum Lord Voldemort)
In French it's Tom Elvis Jedusor (Je suis Voldemort)

... And so on.


Well, I think the Dutch translation isn't so bad, but the other ones (especially Elvis...c'mon!) really suck. omg, the more I look at it the more ridiculous they get.

[grinsp2]

:lol:

How about Nepenus? Sounds a bit more normal. Poor Snape, being called 'fakenose'. Surely that would leave a trauma.
yeah it would

[HarryPotter]

In Spanish... "Tom Sorvolo Ryddle" (Soy Lord Voldemort)

[Dedalus Diggle]

Okay, I asked a Hungarian Net friend and he replied

"in Hungarian Voldemort's name is Tom Rowle Denem, and the sentence 'I am
Voldemort' is 'Nevem Voldemort'... well, it almost works :)

(Nevem = my name)"

The "w" and the two "v"s are the mistake here. If the middle name is Rovvle, then it works. This could be a typesetter's error, seeing 'vv' and putting in 'w'. I don't know if Rovvle is gibberish in Hungarian though.

[Dragon's heir]

In Icelandic, Tom is "Trevor Delgome", which rearranges itself to "Eg er Voldemort" (I am Voldemort, without the Lord), although it should rightfully be "Ég er Voldemort". No names are translated, though (except for Professor Sprout for some odd reason), so the accented é would've looked odd if it had been in the name.

Supposedly, Trevor was his father's name and Delgome his grandfather's (our last names don't work like they do in English, but then Trevor should've been his grandfather's name and Delgome his father's).

Ultimately, since I had not read Chamber of Secrets in English before I started reading Goblet of Fire in English (when it wasn't out in Icelandic), I never got the whole deal with the Riddles at all.

[AlisiameGranger]

My question is WHY do certain names get translated and others not. The non-anagram ones, I mean. Tom Riddle has to fit, but, for example, why does Snape stay snape in the English and Spanish versions, and become Rogue in the French? Why only certain languages, and why certain characters? Yes, some names are descriptive (eg Prof. Sprout), but others just sound fun.

Personally, I like to think that Snape means something rather foul in french, although I haven't been able to find anything to back it up. :-)

Any thoughts?

[KlutzyFreak]

In Portuguese LV real name is: Tom Servoleo Riddle and it becomes Eis Lord Voldemort (but if you translate the anagram of his name, it become 'here is Lord Voldemort' rather then 'I am'). Basically in Portuguese his name doesn't change that much, except his middle name is still very much unusual...
Some of the other names are just 'adapted' so they don't look funny, or are translated so they make some sense in Portuguese and still remain faithful to its actual meaning/significance in English.