Lovely writing, I do find the whole matter not that big a deal, for mine. Books aimed at ones so young should be managed carefully - culture evolves and improves, parochialism won’t halt this.
I question the move on psychological grounds. To change the language already assumes that people are too fragile to handle reading 'offensive' words; but if they weren't before, they will be now. Hearing these words for the first time from the playground bully is much worse than reading them in a children's book (and in a humourous context) with mum or dad.
The preservation of authorial intent is a serious matter and thank you for reminding and restating this to the readers. Texts are always written in time and space contexts and their authentic voice should be maintained. If anything there is greater meaning and leverage by keeping texts in the original language and opening up discussions on race, culture and change and other important concepts such as history, poetry, metaphor and symbolism. We should view Dahl and others (Dr Seuss and other accused authors) as opportunistic teaching opportunities to widen our language use and knowledge and enhance our wonder of stories and tales and creative expression. The politically correct have got the 'wrong end of the stick' here. Again, thanks for writing!
Lovely writing, I do find the whole matter not that big a deal, for mine. Books aimed at ones so young should be managed carefully - culture evolves and improves, parochialism won’t halt this.
I question the move on psychological grounds. To change the language already assumes that people are too fragile to handle reading 'offensive' words; but if they weren't before, they will be now. Hearing these words for the first time from the playground bully is much worse than reading them in a children's book (and in a humourous context) with mum or dad.
The preservation of authorial intent is a serious matter and thank you for reminding and restating this to the readers. Texts are always written in time and space contexts and their authentic voice should be maintained. If anything there is greater meaning and leverage by keeping texts in the original language and opening up discussions on race, culture and change and other important concepts such as history, poetry, metaphor and symbolism. We should view Dahl and others (Dr Seuss and other accused authors) as opportunistic teaching opportunities to widen our language use and knowledge and enhance our wonder of stories and tales and creative expression. The politically correct have got the 'wrong end of the stick' here. Again, thanks for writing!