Fascinating! That would make a great article, to compare how different languages affect the tone and impact of the story. Then, too, there’s the impact of the translator’s skills both linguistic and literary.

I hadn’t thought about Umbridge in that light, but there is something much like Stephen Miller in the way she takes delight in gratuitous cruelty. She surely would approve of kids in cages and the careless loss of any records that would let them ever find their parents.

Marginally related matter — I figured you were Finnish from your name, having researched naming conventions when I wrote a Finnish character into a novel I was working on in grad school. I also remember a Swedish friend from many years ago who had learned multiple languages in high school. It’s embarrassing how few Americans learn even a second language. I did a little translating of Neruda a few years back, but I’m not really even up to conversational level in any other language. Hoping to teach in Mexico next year so I can correct that deficiency.