Thread: Harry Potter in Russian

Is the translated version of the Harry Potter series worth getting from a learners stand point? I've heard it's poorly translated, but if you aren't exactly reading for entertainment, is it good?

I read half of book 4. My Russian isn't good enough to notice mistakes plus I thought it was really easy to follow.

So they books aren't as poorly translated as reviews seem to make them sound?

Whenever I ask questions here about the book people say the wording sounds funny.

I think the translation is pretty bad but I am not skilled enough to know for sure. For me it was still fun to read and I picked up alot of vocab. But I switched to the Marinina book I am reading now just because at least it was written originally in Russian.

Hmm... I'd like to read a book which I can get in English too. The reason I was looking at Harry Potter, was because I could follow along and I would have somewhere to turn if I got stuck. What's this Marinina book you speak of? Is it in English too? How hard is it?

Thanks

Originally Posted by Darobat

Hmm... I'd like to read a book which I can get in English too. The reason I was looking at Harry Potter, was because I could follow along and I would have somewhere to turn if I got stuck. What's this Marinina book you speak of? Is it in English too? How hard is it?

Thanks

If you want to read a painstakingly accurately translated book along with the English get a Russian Bible.

Originally Posted by DDT

If you want to read a painstakingly accurately translated book along with the English get a Russian Bible.

Oh, are you a sadist?! It's very difficult to read even for native speakers, it's written in so archaic language. Moreover, you may become completely mad reading such a boring thing

You had better say 3 Hail Mary's for that remark!!

May be I would say it if i knew what it means

Check out this site
http://www.franklang.ru/gb.html#Книги_на_английском_и_русск ом_(bilingua):_

This books are both in Russian and in English.

Is the translated version of the Harry Potter series worth getting from a learners stand point? I've heard it's poorly translated, but if you aren't exactly reading for entertainment, is it good?

IMHO, any HP book is worth getting from a learner's point of view. The first two-three books are pretty easy to read and would be very useful for learners at an intermidiate level. The rest of the HP books - that is, 3rd-6th, are, imo, a lot more difficult to read. I have read the first five books in Russian and have enyojed them all. Especially the 5th one since it's not as childish as the rest. I have read it in English as well. I haven't yet read the 6th HP book but hopefully I will manage to get it in English.
I recommend you to read any HP book that is translated into English (if it is your first language) if you like HP. I would say that Dan Brown's books are translated into Russian much worse that the HP series.

Originally Posted by Darobat

What's this Marinina book you speak of? Is it in English too? How hard is it?

Thanks

I'm reading Stylist by Alexandra Marinina.

I couldn't find it in English but I have a French copy to read with it.

It is really hard, H.P. is a much better level for me...I should probably read the rest of that instead but I just like having an mp3 to go with the book.

J.K.Rowling is hardly a brilliant writer in English. Her style is quite basic.

It's very "Harry entered the dark, cold room and saw a big dusty book on an old wooden table."

It's like how children write, sticking two adjectives before each noun.

I have Гарри Поттер и узник Азкабана.

It's quite challenging for me. Not that hard. Need a dictionary.

I didn't need a dictionary while reading HP5 in English. Like you said, it's pretty easy to read but there are still some things that might prove interesting to learners. If you want complex sentences etc. you should then read Tolkien. The number of adjectives in his books is amazing! You will hardly ever come across them in other books
The last book I read in English was "Digital Fortress" by Dan Brown. I tremendously enjoyed reading this book. It's of great value to a learner of English. You could read Dostoevsky as well if you want 'tough' Russian.

I'm going to read Digital Fortress too.

BTW, my "Digital Fortress" is kinda unique because I bought it at Toronto Pearson International Airport It's priceless!

I'm lucky to have Da Vinci Code in txt and in mp3, so I'm going to read it, though I've read it already in Russian.
P.S. Does anybody have Akunin's "Азазель" in English? I can provide you with links on txt and audio of this book.

I'd rather you gave me the link where I can download the audio version of "The Da Vanci Code".

Originally Posted by ReDSanchous

I'd rather you gave me the link where I can download the audio version of "The Da Vanci Code".

На русском или на английском? Если на англ., то
http://www.torrentz.com/t.php?id=119489

Есть также отличный сайт:
http://www.audiobookforfree.com/screen_main.asp
Каждая книга предоставляется в нескольких вариантах с различным битрейтом, с самым низким - бесплатно, остальные - за умеренную абонплату. Можно также заказать все книги на ДВД или СД.

Originally Posted by ReDSanchous

BTW, my "Digital Fortress" is kinda unique because I bought it at Toronto Pearson International Airport :lol: It's priceless! :lol:

How much by the way? Here it costs 380 rubles.