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Old 12-08-2010, 04:49 PM   #3
James_Wilde
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Sweden
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I just got this message as a PR...

Quote:
I just noticed your post. As an American, I find the idea that us colonials need books "translated" to be rather condescendingly offensive. Certain spellings, such as "gaol", might not be well known here, but we'll either infer the context, or look it up!

P. D. James mysteries - as an example - aren't full of references to the "State Police" investigating crimes, folks eating "cookies" with their tea, or stopping by "ATM's" to get cash. Yet, they manage to sell well enough here. Fancy that!

On occasion, the U. S. edition of some books features the American practice of double quotes for dialogue, as opposed to British single ones, but that's pretty much it. Even then, I believe they've left "centre" and "authorise" intact as We. Get. It.

Perhaps now you understand why your idea didn't get the response you'd hoped for?
As I said to him, I should have looked inwards. I can read an American book and enjoy it. I've not read many Aussie books - they're not so common over here in Europe - but I managed with "The Thorn Birds" and "The Sundowners".

I was actually looking at the suggestion as a source of income for potential "translators".

Sorry if I offended anyone. I guess this thread is closed. Do I get a prize for being the only one to post in it?
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