[HPforGrownups] Re: Jim Dale, Stupid Americans, Hagrid's worth as a teacher

[Cornet83 at aol.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 40260

Several people have commented on how enraged and upset they are that the 
American versions of the HP books have been changed and "dumbed down" for the 
American audience and I just thought I would put in my two cents.  I agree 
that some things should not have been changed, such as mum to mom, but really 
I do think that some of it was necessary.

I for one, would have been terribly confused for a while when everyone 
received "jumpers" for Christmas instead of sweaters, and I don't consider 
myself to be that culturally naive.  But of course, no one likes admitting 
that to themselves:)  I enjoy watching some British television and I 
absolutely love British comedies but even while watching those shows I 
sometimes have to stop and think, "Oh wait, what did they mean by that," and 
then re-evaluate the scene. 

But I suppose, in the end, it all depends on the person reading them.  
Someone who visits England and the surrounding areas frequently, or who is 
pretty well aquainted with British slang probably would be rather upset that 
the American versions were changed, but someone else (like me) who is more 
intelligent than a slug, just not as familiar with British sayings and so 
forth, wouldn't really mind the changes. 

I guess my point was that, in the end, does it really matter?  I don't think 
the integrity or the story itself was jeopardized by the changes and you've 
got to remember that even though JKR didn't write the series for children, it 
was originally marketed to them.  In general, most American children might 
have been confused.

But I've been rambling, so I'll sign out.
Monica (who realizes all this has been discussed and debated over and over 
but just had to stick in her little viewpoint)