A "Harey" Problem, WAS: Re: Newer UK Edition of CoS Has Three Changes

[jkusalavagemd]

No: HPFGUIDX 43839

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., "naama2486" <naama2486 at y...> wrote:

> 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?!
> 
> HP publishers must be really bored if they make such stupid and 
> irrelivent changes. Was JKR aware of this?
> 
> Naama the New,

A "harelip" is a cleft lip, which is a birth defect that can range 
from a mild split in the upper lip to a severe cleft palate.  It is 
reparable by surgery-- in the WW by magic as well, no doubt.

I fear that this is a case of misplaced sensitivity on the part of 
the American Editors.  One can visualize a harelip without having any 
desire to ridicule or persecute people with cleft palates.  Why 
censor this?  Rather than rob the language of any umpleasant images 
out of misguided paternalism (or maternalism-- musn't offend any 
gender!) why not look at it as an opportunity for parents to explain 
what it is in a sensisitve manner, so that when the child reader 
actually encounters someone with the defect, they will be prepared to 
react without shock or surprise?

Haggridd