Separated by a common language (WAS: Jim Dale, Stupid Americans etc.)

[c_voth312]

No: HPFGUIDX 40267

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., Cornet83 at a... wrote:
> 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 agree that some of the changes were understandable, even necessary, 
for an American audience.  Remember, over here we think "football" is 
something played by overpaid prima donnas with helmets and heavy 
padding, and a "jumper" is a form of sleeveless dress (Imagine the 
poor parents who are confronted with the question of Ron and Harry 
cross-dressing!).  Some things do get lost in translation.
On the other hand, other language changes strike me as superfluous 
and even counter-productive to the story.  Mrs. Weasley is most 
definitely a "mum" not a "mom," and Draco Malfoy is best described as 
a "git" as opposed to other things.  And I'm still irritated as heck 
that some bozo publisher was convinced that a) the majority of the 
American public would run away from any book with the 
word "Philosopher" in the title and b) the majority of the American 
public is both too stupid to know what "philosopher's stone" is and 
not curious enough to find out what it is if they didn't.

Okay, sermon's over.  Pass the plate.

~Christi, who experienced great confusion when, in reading "Bridget 
Jones's Diary," she saw the heroine express a desperate need for 
a "fag"...