British V American

[scoutmom21113]

No: HPFGUIDX 101728

Jason:
So many, in fact, that I would like to do away with the American 
edited version all together. I havent read any of the British 
versions of the books but they can't be THAT different, can they? We 
Americans have become accustomed to many phrases and Britishisms by 
now anyway.

Am I the only one that feels this way?

Bookworm:
If the books were primarily written for adults, I would agree with 
you. But, please remember that the American editions are published 
by Scholastic, whose target audience is teachers, parents and 
*children*.  (Note: I am not arguing that JKR wrote the books for 
children, just that the American publisher is known for publishing 
children's books.)

I was introduced to Harry when my then-7-y/o bought PS/SS at her 
school book fair.  Since it is beyond the average second grader's 
reading level, I had to read it to her. She struggles with reading, 
especially with words that do not look the way they sound. Reading 
can be very frustrating for her and she prefers to listen to the 
books on CD while reading along. She would not have been able to 
read colour instead of color, for example, and not get confused.  
The British editions, with different spelling and expressions, would 
be truly foreign to her.

Ravenclaw Bookworm