[hp fic] Fine, We'll Do It Your Way (Sirius/Remus, PG-13, translated)

[thistlerose]

I was googling myself earlier and I found this translation of one of my stories (Fine, We'll Do it Your Way) into Russian! I can't vouch for the translation (I think Remus has become Rem, which is not how it is in the original) but it's still really cool! Thanks to whoever did this!

Название: Будь по-твоему (Fine, We'll Do It Your Way )Rating:

Comments

[sasha_davidovna]

Yeah, it's "Fine, We'll Do It Your Way" in Russian. I didn't read the whole thing to see how accurate a translation it was, but what I did read looks decent, except that they're randomly calling Remus "Rem." (Рем, instead of Римус, the spelling given in my copy of PoA.)

[thistlerose]

*laugh* Now I'm torn. I think it's so cool that someone translated my story, but I absolutely HATE the nickname Rem!

[oh_valentine]

Yep, Russian. Sweet.

[thistlerose]

Cool! :)

[krisomniac]

(I just love that your first sentence was: I was googling myself earlier)

*is twelve*

[thistlerose]

"When correctly viewed, everything is lewd." - Tom Lehrer

[passthesky]

The translation is a tad off, I'd say, but still good. I don't think I'd be able to pull it off better.

Maybe I just find fiction in English more pleasurable to read, in general. *shrug*

The fic is awfully cute though. XD

[thistlerose]

Off in what way? I've been told that Rem was substituted for Remus (ARGH!) a couple of times, but beyond that... I don't know Russian, so I can't tell. :P

I'm glad you liked the story! Thanks so much. :)

[passthesky]

Well, minor little things like, say..
Remus licked his dry lips. “Was going to?” turns into Rem asked, ..., or

“Sorry.” Remus blinked. He wished he could raise a hand to rub the crust from his lashes, but Sirius had him pinned. turns into "Sorry," Rem wanted to flick hair off his [Remus'] forehead, but Sirius wouldn't let him move.

Minor things like that, but they do ruin the mood a bit, IMO.

After this one, I've read some more of your works, and I have your journal bookmarked now, as well as a couple of fics stored in memories. I really like how you portray Sirius & Remus, with all the subtlety of emotions and sometimes nearly infinite sadness. You're a great author. :)

[thistlerose]

Yeah, that is different. Grr. I just thought it was so cool that someone had translated my story into Russian. :)

I guess I'll have to trust that people know I never have and never would call Remus Rem!

Thank you for the kind words! I really appreciate them.

[dear_tiger]

Hey :) Sorry this a two-year-late comment, but in case you will still read these, I wanted to comment on the whole Rem thing. It's not so much of a nickname in this case (which I do hate, too) but rather it has to do with classic translation of Latin names into Russian. Couldn't tell you why, unfortunately, but the Latin -us ending of the names is always somehow transformed in classic translations. For instance, "Lucius" might just turn into "Lutsiy" or something like that. "Pontius Pilat" actually sounds like "Pontiy Pilat". Maybe has to do with the Bible? And since Remus is one of the founders of Rome, there exists a traditional translation of that name that was done by those people ages ago that transformed all Latin names, and so it sounds like "Rem". I have never read Russian translations of Harry Potter, but I believe that official translations kept him as "Remus", whereas fan web-based translation of the book calls him "Rem".
Hope it makes you feel better about the whole thing :)

[dear_tiger]

Oh, and I forgot something else... Since "Sirius" is the name of a star, it sounds just like that in Russian, and the ending is not changed in any of the translations. Which is beyond me. Probably has to do with the fact that both names are quite old and both have a classic translation in Russian (just like cities are sometimes named differently in different languages, like Munich and Munchen). The founders of Rome legend is somewhat less known that the star, of course, so there exist three versions of Remus Lupin in Russian translations while translation of Sirius' name is unambiguous. Besides the founders of Rome, there is "Uncle Remus' Tales", where the name does sound like "Remus". And why in the world these people centuries ago decided to change one Latin name but leave the other alone, hell knows.

[thistlerose]

Sorry about the late response! I just moved and started grad school, so I've been...not entirely here, let's say. :)

Thank you so much for the explanation! It DOES make me feel better, and it's really interesting. I love linguistics and how things translate from language to language.