| Synopsis: |
Harrius Potter et Philosophi Lapis; Caput Primum; Puer qui Vixit; 'Dominus et Domina Dursley, qui vivebant in aedibus Gestationis Ligustrorum numero quattor signatis...' this opening, also known as 'Mr and Mrs Dursley, of number four, Privet Drive...' has become one of the most read opening chapters in the world. Newly translated into Latin for the first time, this is following in the steps of other great children's classics, including Winnie the Pooh (winnie ille pu) and Paddington Bear (ursus nomine paddington). The huge task of translating into Latin (most translations are done from Latin) has been undertaken by Peter Needham, who taught Latin at Eton for over 30 years. James Morwood, of Oxford University, has said of the translation, 'The translation is great stuff. It is accurate and fluent, but it is much more than that. It has been carried off with wit, inventiveness, sensitivity and panache. I find it impossible to think of its being better done.' |