Hi,
My name is Lee and I have just finished my second year at Exeter University, UK and am reading Classical Studies. I have been studying Latin for eleven years now and attempted Ancient Greek at GCSE level. Would quite like to pick it up again when I do my Masters Degree.
Just got a copy of Harrius Potter et Philosophi Lapis. As with most works in translation, it does lose some of its original charm, but nevertheless Peter Needham has done an excellent job. Those familiar with the books will know that wizard hating Uncle Vernon shouting at Harry “Cars don’t fly!” will never have the same ring when translated “Birotulae automatariae non volant!” Even though a slight sense of the original is lost, essentially in creating Latin phrases for modern inventions, it is a great learning tool and a delight to see how the translator’s ability has commedably translated a modern children’s classic in to a thoroughly readable piece of Latin prose.
How has he managed the Latin puns and spells? do they appear in Latin or in some sort of modified made up language?
The book will arrive on my doorstep tomorrow morning, which is a bad thing since I’m supposed to be writing my thesis at the moment. Probably won’t be able to read it until the weekend! Agony!
I hate to be a nerd, but isn’t birotula automataria a motorbike? 
vinobrien, yes it is a motorbike :-[ (shamed!)
Mansella will probably notice, if the temptation to read has not been resisted, that most of the spells are the same as the original. But the “mirror of erised” (desire) is not the “speculum muiredisedii” but “speculum erisedii” Some names are changed, such as Oliver Wood to Oliver Silvius and the Weasleys to Vislii. I suppose that it up to the translator to translate what he feels is suitable. What do others think of the translation? Approve or disapprove, or any favourite translations?