[HPforGrownups] Re: US & UK editions,

[Pen Robinson]

No: HPFGUIDX 35596

Judy said:

>Well, perhaps it is true that American books are usually published in
>Britain without modifications.  I live in the US, so I'll take your
>word for it.  However, this isn't the question relevant to the
>Potter books. The question relevant to the Potter books is, "How often
>are *British* books modified for publication in the *US*?"
>
>I think it's pretty common for British books to be modified when they
>are published in the US.  My sister is a book indexer, and has often
>indexed the American editions of British books; she says changes are
>very common when a British book is published in the US.

>Maybe the reason for this assymmetry is that here in the US, we have
>little exposure to British popular culture.  Perhaps in England,
>people have some amount of exposure to American TV shows, songs, etc.,
>and pick up some US slang.

Is it just me, or is there something a little circular about this argument?
If British stuff is 'edited for culture' when it transfers to the US, how
is British popular culture ever to achieve the necessary level of exposure
for it to be readily understood?

Pen