just how different? UK = Canada

[Tiffany B. Clark]

No: HPFGUIDX 180733

> Carol responds:
> 
> All American publishers have what's called "house style," a style of
spelling and punctuation used in all their books. That includes
Americanizing British spelling and punctuation. British slang is
another matter. Unless a word or phrase (like "pot plant" or "pecker")
has a different (and somewhat unsavory or off color) meaning in
American English, I agree with you that the slang and idiomatic
expressions should be retained. But I also think that it would be a
good idea to include a British-to-American glossary in the back of
each book, along with a list of phrases that might not be immediately
comprehensible. (I'm still thrown by some of Ron's expressions even
after seven books.) Ideally, an American editor would make a list of
terms that American readers (not just children) might find unfamiliar
and JKR would provide synonyms or definitions. Or, if she's unfamiliar
with the American terms, the American editors could compile a list of
definitions or synonyms for her approval, "sweater" for "jumper" and
"sneakers" for "trainers" being among the more obvious entries. But
"chocolate gateau" and "spotted dick" would require input from JKR
herself or a British editor, I would think, considering that such
"puddings" (desserts) seldom find a place on American tables or menus.
Inquisitive readers, kids especially, would find such a glossary
interesting, especially if it's done with a touch of mischievous
JKR-style humor.

Tiffany:

There can also be slang words that have multiple meanings in just one 
national slang so list of terms would be slang words would be useful 
in such a case.  In the USA, for example, pot can mean one of three 
things, most of the times.  The first is something you put a plant 
in, the second is something that you cook with, & the third is a drug 
culture word for marijuana.  Also, I had to recall that whenever I 
saw chips mentioned in the UK canonical novels that they were 
actually french fries, not the potato chips of the USA.  A lot of 
Ron's expressions & sayings still manage to confuse me after seven 
books worth of his stuff.  I've learned to appreciate JKR's humor 
more with each book, but it was a slow & steady process at first.