Language in OOTP less Americanized?

[Jospehine]

No: HPFGUIDX 105038


Marny <marnyhelfrich at c...> wrote:
The language in this book (and I have the Scholastic edition that 
was available the first night, yes I went to the bookstore at 
midnight) seems less "Americanized" that in the others.  Just in 
what I have re-read today I have noticed "hosepipe," Ron calling 
Harry "mate," and a reference to Harry's "fringe" (bangs).

I wonder if they were in such a hurry to get the book out that 
they didn't take the time to change everything?

Cressida wrote:
I wonder if this is now because JK Rowling herself now has more power 
over what her publishers do - when the first books were published she 
was a complete unknown whereas now of course she is one of the best 
known writers ever. I have seen her comment in interviews that she 
resented changes made to the earlier books in order to give them 'US 
appeal'. Perhaps now she is in a position to resist this whereas when 
the earlier books were published she did not. We know that she kept 
quite a close rein on what Warner Brothers did to the films in terms 
of resisting big name US stars in favour of British actors.
Cressida

Jospehine now:
I agree, I am sure that JKR is more and more adament about what can 
and cannot be changed for the American audience. I can completely 
understand why JKR would not want to change the books for the 
American audience, and might be phasing out the 'translations'. UK 
English isn't exactly beyond American intelligence! But also, perhaps 
the books *seem* less 'Americanised' because more and more of the 
people we are introduced to really depend on their *speech* to 
establish character. Tonks, Mundungus, and Stan Shunpike all need to 
be written with very British mannerisms and inflection to come across 
as they do. (I can't imagine what good it would do to have Tonks 
going 'Hi Y'all' instead of 'Wotcha!')So perhaps general words are 
still being changed now and again, but the books seem more British 
beause of the new characters.


Jo