[HPforGrownups] Re: Newer UK Edition of CoS Has Three Changes From Origin...

[eloiseherisson at aol.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 43825

Naama (the new):

<>> When Harry and Ron go to Lockhart's office, he tells them about the 
> witch that banished the banshee. In the old version Lockhart says she 
> had a "hare lip". On the newer edition, however, she has a "hairy 
> chin". 
> 
> Why change it?!

Phyllis:
Why they would change "hare lip" to "hairy chin" is beyond me - 
perhaps they thought it might be easier for younger readers to 
understand (although how many young readers know what color "puce" 
is?)?


I think perhaps it was changed out of sensitivity. These *aren't* synonyms:  
hare lip is a synonym for cleft lip, a common birth defect and, according to 
my dictionary, is often used derisively. To be honest, I wasn't very 
comfortable with the original. I know that technically it was Lockhart's 
prejudice that was showing, but it may not have been very agreeable to  
readers who born with this defect, particularly children. It highlights 
negatively a condition which today is frequently very successfully treated by 
surgery. Children are, I think, less likely to suffer from hairy chins! I 
think JKR's original was a misjudgement and I'm glad it's been changed.

Eloise.
> 
> 

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