Re: British Editions Question for US readers

Bert wrote:
Thom Madura [Thom-Madura@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] said:


Ever since after the first one - JKR has certainly been in a position to reject any and all changes she does not wish to make to her copyrighted words - and it is SHE who continues to approve them - definitely not anyone else at this point.


I addressed this point in my last post.

No - You did not - you said she was not in a position to fight as a poor defensless author - something she clearly is no longer.







If the word for a Garbage bin is so important and basic to the structure of the British Language that changing it is so unthinkable to you - IF the word Jumper is so intrinsic to your language that using the word sweater instead is an attrocity (AND I have seen the word "sweater" using in ADS in London) - and that the WHOLE of your language rests ONLY on the words that have been corrected to the American Language in our versions - time has truly passed you by.


Where do I say that Americans speaking American is a problem or an issue? Indeed, I do not. I do in contrast believe that English characters having American put into their mouths is a shame.

Then you are arguing that the Books should not be translated at all for anyone - which is just as ridiculous. But still - those same "British" characters get French, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, Dutch, German, Portugese, Fahrsi, and lots of other languages into their mouths - pretty much eliminating all of the quant British phrases that seem so important to you.


It may be a shame for you since a British Writer did it - but then she is obviously more interested in the marketing of her books than that "purity" of her Language that you are so protective of.




I again repeat - with the exception of the title piece of the first book - virtually all of the changes made to the books have been very minor indeed - are likely to be completely missed by a Brit reading our version. The changes have not changed the clear inherent Britishness of the Books - which remains just as obvious. For those who are think of purchasing the "British" versions - there is so little difference between the books that I do not recommend doing it. Especially with the later books after book one, you might have a hard time finding the differences. With the exception of one printing of a book with an obvious error - so many of these books have been printed as to render them worthless as a collectors item. (Even the one with the error sold several MILLION copies)


In my very first post in this thread I said the changes where so small they seemed pointless - and you argued and have done since. The point still stands and I am glad you agree with it. :-)


SO - you agree with my point that it is JKR who made the changes - not the American Public. - I am glad you blame her as well.
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