Pottermore bookshelf shutting down

[issybird]

Originally Posted by ZodWallop

Keep in mind, these are kid's books.

And an American kid wouldn’t be able to figure out that “mum” is Britspeak for “mom”?

And why are British kids assumed to be able to cope with a reference to a philospher’s stone while Yank kids can’t? Worse, when a philospher’s stone is a thing and a sorceror’s stone is not. So the British kid who looks up “philospher’s stone” gets a definition, while the American kid who looks up “sorceror’s stone” gets squat.

Again, just how dumb do they think we are?

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by issybird

The first book was particularly poorly “translated” into American, starting with the title! Referring to Lily as Harry’s “mom” sticks in my mind.

I really, really dislike it when publishers think they have to dumb things down for us dumb Yanks. We’re not quite so stupid as all that. What ever happened to figuring out things from context or, I dunno, looking things up? Might even be good for the kids at that.

I agree. There's no need to "translate" UK English or US English.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Critteranne

It would have been nice if publishers had put notes in the beginning or end of a book to explain some of this stuff to the Yanks! That would be better than changing the title and word use of the book.

That's where footnotes would have come in handy.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by issybird

And an American kid wouldn’t be able to figure out that “mum” is Britspeak for “mom”?

And why are British kids assumed to be able to cope with a reference to a philospher’s stone while Yank kids can’t? Worse, when a philospher’s stone is a thing and a sorceror’s stone is not. So the British kid who looks up “philospher’s stone” gets a definition, while the American kid who looks up “sorceror’s stone” gets squat.

Again, just how dumb do they think we are?

But would an American kid back then understand that a subordinate calling your female DCI "mum" know that she's not that person's mother?

There's a lot of strange things in UK English. But I do think leaving UK English alone and using footnotes would be the best way to do it.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by theducks

Eh! (I once made a custom BIOS for our Canadian office development system. Replaced 'What?" with "Eh? " . Took them MONTHS to notice )

...love it

[tomsem]

Even when I purchased my (only) book on Pottermore, they would not let me purchase the UK English edition, but all other languages were available. Darn regional restrictions!

[ZodWallop]

Originally Posted by issybird

And an American kid wouldn’t be able to figure out that “mum” is Britspeak for “mom”?

Kids might have a harder time with romper or torch or any of a myriad of other little things.

George Bernard Shaw: “England and America are two countries separated by the same language!”

And why are British kids assumed to be able to cope with a reference to a philospher’s stone while Yank kids can’t? Worse, when a philospher’s stone is a thing and a sorceror’s stone is not. So the British kid who looks up “philospher’s stone” gets a definition, while the American kid who looks up “sorceror’s stone” gets squat.

To be honest, I'd assumed the philospher’s stone was just more common lore in the UK than in the US. I remember reading that Scholastic was nervous that kids would think it was a book about philosophy.

Again, just how dumb do they think we are?

TLC (formerly The Learning Channel) is a successful channel running such shows as My 600 Pound Life, 90 Day Fiancé and Dr. Pimple Popper.

Bravo (which used the arts and entertainment network) runs The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City and whatever other mush they show now.

In words not original to me: “nobody ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American public.”

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

But would an American kid back then understand that a subordinate calling your female DCI "mum" know that she's not that person's mother?

Not "mum" but "ma'am", the equivalent of "sir". It's pronounced almost but not quite like "mum". I can hear the difference.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by ZodWallop

TLC (formerly The Learning Channel) is a successful channel running such shows as My 600 Pound Life, 90 Day Fiancé and Dr. Pimple Popper.

Bravo (which used the arts and entertainment network) runs The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City and whatever other mush they show now.

In words not original to me: “nobody ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American public.”

Even worse, TLC shows Honey Boo Boo.

But the UK shows shows like Love Island, Naked Attraction, Dr. Pimple Popper, My Big Fat Fabulous Life, My 600-lb Life, Some of the Real Housewife shows,
The Only Way Is Essex (UJK's answer to Jersey Shores), Kardashian shows, Don't Hate the Playaz, and other garbage.

So judging the US by the crap shown on TV doesn't work because the UK has plenty of crap on TV.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

Not "mum" but "ma'am", the equivalent of "sir". It's pronounced almost but not quite like "mum". I can hear the difference.

I've seen the show Vera and it sounds just like mum.

[CRussel]

Originally Posted by theducks

Eh! (I once made a custom BIOS for our Canadian office development system. Replaced 'What?" with "Eh? " . Took them MONTHS to notice )

You do realize that's an eastern Canadianism. I don't think I've heard it here more than once every couple of months, if that.

I have no problem with adding end notes or a glossary for the education of non-native dialect speakers.

Certainly, though in an eBook world, you just highlight it and Kindle will tell you.

[CRussel]

Originally Posted by issybird

Again, just how dumb do they think we are?

Really, issybird, that is WAY too easy a straight line!

[Apache]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

Not "mum" but "ma'am", the equivalent of "sir". It's pronounced almost but not quite like "mum". I can hear the difference.

"Ma'am" is used in the Southern United States. We pronounce it maa am. We tend to use it when talking to adult women. I can remember using it with women who got upset because they weren't old enough to be called "ma'am".
Apache

[4691mls]

Originally Posted by Apache

"Ma'am" is used in the Southern United States. We pronounce it maa am. We tend to use it when talking to adult women. I can remember using it with women who got upset because they weren't old enough to be called "ma'am".
Apache

If in doubt, probably better to use "miss"

"Ma'am" definitely does not sound like "mum" in my part of the southern US. The vowel sound in "Ma'am" is like "dam" or "ram".

[stumped]

Originally Posted by Critteranne

..

They're also on my Amazon Content and Devices. If I go to the page for one of the books, it says "You already borrowed this item. Read anytime on your Kindle apps and devices."

On the Amazon page, there is also a "Buy at Pottermore" link. Whoops.

I'd worry, in your position....

When you go to the rest of your Amazon Content and devices , its does not say " you already borrowed this item" - it surely says you purchased it i.e. "own " it,
unless is from Prime lending, of Kindle unlimited, then its "borrowed"


seems that amazon are running some custom lending library setup for pottermore and your copy is on indefinite loan from that library But. If pottermore quit paying for the library service, amazon could shutter it, and next time you go on line the kindle book expires.

update- I checked my own content & devices page, but its all changed since I last visited. I used to see a long text based list of titles, but now I have to choose from purchases, samples, borrows in a drop down., then its all in cover images..

e.g.
Digital Content
View:
Books
Borrows
Sort by:
...


is your pottermore book in "purchases", or "borrows."