Quote:
Originally Posted by pdurrant
In an older or historical work, the answer may well be no, in which case, IMO, changing it is the equivalent of translation.
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One of the issues with the Dahl edits is not just that they happened at all, but that they were so poor, not nearly up to the quality of the original, even to poems that wouldn't scan. In other words, translation isn't merely swapping out good words for bad.
I can't imagine anyone wanting to read Wodehouse (and I say this as someone who's read 74 of his books in my quest to read them all in order) and being willing to accept a "translation"*. Unlike Christie, it's not about the plot, it's about the language. And unlike Dahl, mature readers presumably recognize the context of its times.
*No aspersions meant on those who must read him in non-English translations, but I view it as a near-impossible task.