I’ve heard rumors about this for a while. Apparently, it’s true:
(From the Bloomsbury web site, H.P. faq).
> When are the Latin, Welsh, Ancient Greek and Irish editions coming out?>
Latin and Welsh editions will be published by Bloomsbury in July 2003. Ancient Greek will be published in July 2004. The Irish edition is also planned for 2004. Translators for all these book have already been commissioned.
I’ve avoided the books so far. I’d get the Greek one, though.
[size=18=12]εὐτύχετε
My brother and my girlfriend have been trying to get me to read Harry Potter for so long, and I have always resisted, saying that I would do so when I had children, but when I heard it was coming out in Latin and in Ancient Greek I told them that, “now I might have a real reason to read it.” ;D
Is there anyone here who has read the Potter books in English that can say something more about them?
-S
I’ve read them in English, and really have enjoyed them. They tell a good story well, don’t take themselves too seriously, and are generally good fun.
I actually got one of them in German to assist in learning to read that language…
Kilmeny
shrugs It’s a nice escape from reality… a few puzzles witihin for the reader (e.g. deciphering the inscription on the mirror of Erised), but not something I’d reread. My younger sister adores it though…
Definitely worth reading one book, just to give 'em a fair crack of the whip. I did and have gone on to read all of them - a thoroughly enjoyable waste of time . But we all need things like that occasionally!
Go for it!
Paul
I must also confess to having read them all.
There is a perversity in book marketing which has meant that adult fiction has dummed down to the “Does my bum look big in this?” level while conversely there is a sudden surge in real literature which is marketed at children - might I recommend Phillip Pullman’s His Dark Materials series or Eoin Colfer’s wonderful Artemis Fowl books. When are these going into Latin or Greek? Was there ever a classical equivalent? O tempora etc.
Gosh, I have to say I did not read the books in English, but my nephews literally cannot stop talking about them…the one nephew read the current volumes out over his Christmas break and my support is behind them at this point because large numbers of children are actually reading these books and can’t wait for more – in this day and age it is great that they are not just “replaced” by the attitude “I’ll wait for the film”, instead they are mini-critics making sure the film measures up to the book!
For my part, I’m glad they are translating them, but I’m just trying to get a more traditional reading list in order at this point, although in the future I may have a bit of time to check them out.
E
I just put in my pre-order for the Latin edition.
I figure this will be better motivation to learn Latin than Caesar. 
To those of you who refuse to read Harry Potter until it comes out in classical languages:
Hmm… well, my own reason for wanting to study G&L is so that I make up my own mind about the Classical authors - knowing how much translation can change, even corrupt, a piece of writing. That would apply to translating HP into G&L as much as it does to translating Homer into English - something of the original will inevitably be lost, so I’d rather read any work in the original - which would mean Harry Potter in English, thank you very much!
Mind you, I still find the thought that G&L translations are coming out to be most amusing… ;D
To Vinobrien
I agree, Vinobrien: it’s almost as though adult literature cannot show imagination…
I enjoyed Artemis Fowl, too - and I’m glad that for once they didn’t portray the genius stereotypically! And did you go through and decipher the arcane-fairy-script at the bottom of the pages in the second book? (Didn’t have time before I had to return the book, myself…)
I did notice on the shelves as I left home this morning
Ursus nomine Paddington
Asterix Gallus
Caesaris Bellum Helveticum (in comic book form)
I suspect the Harry Potter will end up next to them…
By the way, I also have a CD by a man called Doctor Ammond which was given to me by a friend in Finnland. It consists of rock ‘n’ roll classics sung in Latin - ursus Taddeus; quate, crepa, rota; even nunc hic aut nunquam.
Paddington Bear in Latin?!!? 
No waaaay!
Hahaha - well, why not? As for Asterix, there’s a sense in which it belongs in Latin…
I used to have Asterix Gallus (the Latin one) and 'Asteri/kioj e0n 'Olumpi/a| (the one in Ancient Greek), until they were stolen from me. 
-S.
There are quite a few of these on the market - Winnie ille Pu and domus anguli Puensis seem to be out of print in the UK but I gather that, following a recent film version in the original language, quomodo invidiosulus nomine Grinchus Christi Natalem abrogaverit is now available.
I’ve tried to find the Greek versions of Asterix (seemingly only available in Germany) and of Alix (a French comic) but, without importing them at some expense from elsewhere, it seems impossible. I’ll just have to look out for them on my travels.
I have “Grinchus”, which I found in a bookstore a few years ago, and “Pu” (a gift from my brother and sister-in-law) at home. Said (very resourceful) brother and sister-in-law also found a book/CD by Sandra Boynton (I think) and others called “Grunt: Pigorian Chant” - the CD is in Gregorian-chant-style music, and the book is the “libretto”, so to speak. It discusses the daily lives of the farmyard animals and the farmer, all of whom speak in Latin, except for the pigs, who speak in pig-Latin (of course). It’s very amusing to read along with, and the music’s actually pretty good. There is something very appealing about ducks responding to almost anything with “Quaquamodo”. I’ve seen it now and again in larger record-stores, too.
Kilmeny
[quote author=vinobrien link=board=6;threadid=94;start=0#570 date=1053513057]
There are quite a few of these on the market - Winnie ille Pu and domus anguli Puensis seem to be out of print in the UK but I gather that, following a recent film version in the original language, quomodo invidiosulus nomine Grinchus Christi Natalem abrogaverit is now available.
[/quote]
I recently found and bought a copy of Winnie ille Pu Semper Ludet, which is The House on Pooh Corner with the title very roughly translated. It was at the discount book store, so I picked it up for a few bucks, hardcover.
I want to see the Mr. Men and Little Miss series in Latin!!! That would just make my day! ;D ;D ;D
I want to see the Mr. Men and Little Miss series in Latin!!!
Now if they ever come out with that, I’m taking up Latin! I wonder if they’d be any good in classical Greek…
Indeed!
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3527656120&category=20045<br />
I wish for the day I may be able to read the Latin book !!!
Hahhahahah! Harrius Potter! Are they serii?
Just to let you all know that Harrius Potter et Phiosophi Lapis comes out on July 7th and can be pre-ordered on the Bloomsbury site or on Amazon. They are still promising the Ancient Greek version for next year.
‘Dominus et Domina Dursley, qui vivebant in aedibus Gestationis Ligustrorum numero quattuor signatis…’ ;D
Hi,
I have today the 27/6/03 got my copy of Harrius Potter et Philosophi Lapis translated by Peter Needham ISBN 0-7475-6196-6.
I like to know one think! Why has Peter Needham not translated “Potter” into Latin? I would have thought that “figulus” will do very well!
Any comments anyone!
Andrew