Magical mediation: Translation/interpreting and gender in the narrative world of Harry Potter.

Translation plays a pivotal diegetic role in J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter saga: even though no professional translators feature among the main characters, many of the latter repeatedly engage in translational activities that originate fundamental plot twists. The series depicts countless episodes of intercultural mediation, starting from the dichotomy between the wizarding dimension and the world of the so-called Muggles (non-magical people). Muggle-born characters frequently find themselves translating everyday terms and objects such as telephones and cars for bewildered wand-holders, while wizards and witches often have to render their jargon and concepts in plain, non-magical English. The wizarding community also harbors numerous languages within its own borders, drawing heavily from Latin for spells and including various mythological species speaking their own idioms, such as Giants or Merpeople. As they start their program at Hogwarts at the young age of eleven, future wizards soon learn the importance of tackling multicultural and interlingual issues to progress not only in their education, but also (and more importantly) in the battle against evil. This paper aims at analyzing the relevance of the multifarious instances of translation within the saga, focusing on the ones that prove most significant for the development of the main plot and that are invariably performed by either Harry himself or by his female co-protagonist, Hermione Granger. The author creates a peculiar subverted genderization of translation, underlining Harry’s innate linguistic ability (as a Parselmouth, he is able to communicate with snakes, which is considered a sign of powerful Dark Magic) as opposed to Hermione’s translation skills, acquired through intensive studying. While Harry’s linguistic feats are usually more spectacular, it is Hermione’s knowledge of ancient runes that ultimately saves the day. This paper will thus also analyze Rowling’s use of translation as an effective symbol of feminine power that transcends even archetypal male heroism.