Harry Potter in Ancient Greek ?

Greek Learning Greek
1

I have found that there is a version of the first book of the Harry Potter series in Ancient Greek, it can be bought from amazon, http://www.amazon.com/Harry-Potter-Philosophers-Stone-Ancient/dp/158234826X/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1199405818&sr=8-1

In my quest for greek texts to read, I was wondering if anyone can comment on this book ?

There are two volumes of Harry Potter available in Latin as well.

2

I have it and the first Latin one… but I haven’t read them yet.

3

I was given the French version of the first book several years ago, but I haven’t seen the Latin or Greek translations. It sounds like a fun idea, but I think there are a few things to keep in mind. I think the best reading material for learning Ancient Greek is authentic writings by ancient Greek authors. Not only is this written by a modern author (like some examples and passages in introductory texts), but it is a modern story, with modern words and concepts. Aquiring a working vocabulary is one of the most important aspects of reading Greek and Latin fluidly, and this will not be the best choice for that, even if the translator does a good job of imitating the style of an ancient author, because it will have many loan words and invented words. But, although I don’t think it would be the best learning material, it sounds like fun.

4

I have the ancient Greek version. I can’t comment on the ‘authenticity’ of the style, but I will say it’s not an entirely simple text to read, even for someone who has already had a fair amount of Greek (although I’ve read mostly poetry, so it may be a question of not knowing the right vocabulary).

But it’s fun, and a change of pace. Andrew Wilson, the translator, has a website with some notes on the translation process – and more importantly, a working vocabulary list, at http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~loxias/harry_potter.htm

5

I’ve got the two Latin books and the Greek one. I read the Latin ones but so far the Greek translation is too advanced for me. I found the Latin books complement my course perfectly. This is because my course is based on Hillard and Botting, North and Hillard and the Kennedy grammar - basically the same syllabus used at English Public Schools since the days of Tom Brown or Thereabouts anyway. The Latin grammar and style of the Harrius Potter is straight out of those textbooks. Reading them gave me a great sense of deja vu. In fact, I used to alternate between reading Caesar and Harry Potter and Harry Potter helped me expand my vocabularly and enhanced my experience of reading a declined language.

6

Thanky you, spiphany, for the interesting and informative link.

7

I think the best reading material for learning Ancient Greek is authentic writings by ancient Greek authors. Not only is this written by a modern author (like some examples and passages in introductory texts), but it is a modern story, with modern words and concepts. Aquiring a working vocabulary is one of the most important aspects of reading Greek and Latin fluidly, and this will not be the best choice for that, even if the translator does a good job of imitating the style of an ancient author, because it will have many loan words and invented words. But, although I don’t think it would be the best learning material, it sounds like fun.

I agree with you, but sometimes, lighter material might be interesting as a practice ground.

Our Ancient Greek texts are mostly very advanced and complex, and are no doubt among the greatest litterature ever written; it might be why these texts have survived through the ages to reach us. But sometimes, one would like something lighter to read, and still honing one’s skills in the process.