Roald Dahl publisher’s crackdown on 'offensive' language receives backlash: ‘Absolutely insane’
- Replies 61
In case you missed it, the works of Roald Dahl are undergoing a massive change.
Puffin Books, the publisher of the author’s works, has hired ‘sensitivity readers’ to scan and edit the books to replace language deemed ‘offensive’. (You can read more about it here.)
The Roald Dahl Story Company and Puffin Books are introducing the changes with the help of Inclusive Minds, an organisation of ‘people who are passionate about inclusion and accessibility in children’s literature’.
A spokesperson for Inclusive Minds said they want ‘authentic representation’ through collaborating with the publishing industry and people ‘who have lived experience of any facet of diversity’.
The said changes, according to reports, would see words like ‘fat’ replaced with ‘enormous’, as with Augustus Gloop in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. The Oompa Loompas in the story are now gender-neutral ‘small people’ instead of ‘small men’.
In The Twits, Mrs Twit, from being called ‘ugly and beastly’, is now only ‘beastly’.
Characters described as ‘female’ are now termed as ‘woman’, like the ‘most formidable female’ Ms Trunchbull in Matilda, who is now the ‘most formidable woman’.
There are also some instances where parts are entirely scrapped and replaced with new content.
The Centipede in James and the Giant Peach sang in early editions: ‘Aunt Sponge was terrifically fat / And tremendously flabby at that’. The line has apparently been completely removed and replaced with: ‘Aunt Sponge was a nasty old brute / And deserved to be squashed by the fruit.’
Suffice it to say, despite the well-meaning intentions, many people aren’t pleased.
‘This is appalling’
Ninety-eight per cent of respondents in a Daily Mail MailOnline poll agreed that the author’s works should be kept in their original state.
Elsewhere online, British cyberspace erupted with disdain from people who were critical of the move.
‘Write your own books and leave other books alone,’ one mum said in a popular forum for parents. ‘I find the whole thing utterly horrific and shudder to think that there are enough people in the profession to cheer this on.’
Another parent said the move was ‘absolutely insane’.
‘These are children’s books that have been beloved for decades. I won’t be buying the new versions for my two little ones.’
‘Seems kind of random,’ a third said. ‘Sooner or later, someone with crooked teeth will complain, and they will need to do another reprint.’
Salman Rushdie, the author of The Satanic Verses and Haroun and the Sea of Stories, called the development ‘absurd censorship’ on Twitter.
The discussion has gotten so fierce that even British PM Rishi Sunak has joined the fray!
'When it comes to our rich and varied literary heritage, the Prime Minister agrees with the BFG that we shouldn't “gobblefunk” around with words,’ a spokesperson said, referencing Dahl’s The BFG, which used made-up terms like ‘propsposterous’ to keep readers engaged.
'I think it's important that works of literature and works of fiction are preserved and not airbrushed.’
'We have always defended the right to free speech and expression.'
Back home, many Aussies also shared similar sentiments over the development.
‘Absolutely insane. What an insult to Roald Dahl. His way of writing and use of words is why his books are so damn interesting for kids and even adults. Even my 10-year-old daughter said this was stupid and that if you don't like the words, don't read it!!! Simple, really,’ one mum said. ‘Why does the future of our kids have to be so protected and planned out for them by removing everything that may be offensive? Can they not make their own choices as they grow?’
‘It's life, it will be offensive in ways, but they need to know how to handle that. We are moulding an incredibly soft next generation!’ she added.
Others dismissed the whole thing as another consequence of ‘wokeness’.
‘So do we have to re-write every book ever written pre the “woke brigade”? This is an absolute joke! I’ve proudly read these books to my children, and guess what — they don’t go around calling people fat or skinny! As a parent, I’ve taught them right from wrong,’ another mum said.
Few supporters applaud edits to Dahl’s work
While it may seem that opinions for the move overwhelmingly skew against it, there are a few who have spoken out in support of the measure.
‘I love the Road Dahl books and have started reading them to my 4-year-old, but there are words and phrases used in there that are now understood to be harmful, and I'm pleased that small changes are being made, so they are more inclusive. It also ensures they'll stay loved,’ one mum said on Twitter.
Another mum added: ‘As long as the originals are still available, I'm quite happy to have more inclusive versions to read to my little one. I've been horrified at the content of some things I read as a child, having revisited them as an adult.’
Amid a fierce outcry, Puffin makes an announcement
Critics of the measure may find their anger assuaged a bit as Puffin Books has announced that it will continue to republish unedited versions of Dahl’s works alongside the controversial new editions, which some have tagged as ‘airbrushed’.
‘We’ve listened to the debate over the past week, which has reaffirmed the extraordinary power of Roald Dahl’s books and the very real questions around how stories from another era can be kept relevant for each new generation,’ Penguin Random House, which Puffin Books operates under, said.
‘As a children’s publisher, our role is to share the magic of stories with children with the greatest thought and care. Roald Dahl’s fantastic books are often the first stories young children will read independently, and taking care of the imaginations and fast-developing minds of young readers is both a privilege and a responsibility.’
‘We also recognise the importance of keeping Dahl’s classic texts in print. By making both Puffin and Penguin versions available, we are offering readers the choice to decide how they experience Roald Dahl’s magical, marvellous stories.’
Well, at least there’s an option for everyone!
We understand this is a divisive matter for many, so we want to ask you: what are your thoughts on this?
Do you agree that Roald Dahl’s works — and many other pieces showing ‘dated’ and potentially politically incorrect language — should be edited to be in keeping with modern times?
Or should these classic works be left as they are?
Tell us your thoughts below!
Source: YouTube/Telling Tales with Carl Ashmore
Puffin Books, the publisher of the author’s works, has hired ‘sensitivity readers’ to scan and edit the books to replace language deemed ‘offensive’. (You can read more about it here.)
The Roald Dahl Story Company and Puffin Books are introducing the changes with the help of Inclusive Minds, an organisation of ‘people who are passionate about inclusion and accessibility in children’s literature’.
A spokesperson for Inclusive Minds said they want ‘authentic representation’ through collaborating with the publishing industry and people ‘who have lived experience of any facet of diversity’.
The said changes, according to reports, would see words like ‘fat’ replaced with ‘enormous’, as with Augustus Gloop in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. The Oompa Loompas in the story are now gender-neutral ‘small people’ instead of ‘small men’.
In The Twits, Mrs Twit, from being called ‘ugly and beastly’, is now only ‘beastly’.
Roald Dahl’s works are being edited to be more inclusive, but the development hasn’t gone over well. Image Credit: Flickr
Characters described as ‘female’ are now termed as ‘woman’, like the ‘most formidable female’ Ms Trunchbull in Matilda, who is now the ‘most formidable woman’.
There are also some instances where parts are entirely scrapped and replaced with new content.
The Centipede in James and the Giant Peach sang in early editions: ‘Aunt Sponge was terrifically fat / And tremendously flabby at that’. The line has apparently been completely removed and replaced with: ‘Aunt Sponge was a nasty old brute / And deserved to be squashed by the fruit.’
Suffice it to say, despite the well-meaning intentions, many people aren’t pleased.
‘This is appalling’
Ninety-eight per cent of respondents in a Daily Mail MailOnline poll agreed that the author’s works should be kept in their original state.
Elsewhere online, British cyberspace erupted with disdain from people who were critical of the move.
‘Write your own books and leave other books alone,’ one mum said in a popular forum for parents. ‘I find the whole thing utterly horrific and shudder to think that there are enough people in the profession to cheer this on.’
Another parent said the move was ‘absolutely insane’.
‘These are children’s books that have been beloved for decades. I won’t be buying the new versions for my two little ones.’
Parents blasted the editing of Dahl’s works as an absurd move. Image Credit: Unsplash
‘Seems kind of random,’ a third said. ‘Sooner or later, someone with crooked teeth will complain, and they will need to do another reprint.’
Salman Rushdie, the author of The Satanic Verses and Haroun and the Sea of Stories, called the development ‘absurd censorship’ on Twitter.
The discussion has gotten so fierce that even British PM Rishi Sunak has joined the fray!
'When it comes to our rich and varied literary heritage, the Prime Minister agrees with the BFG that we shouldn't “gobblefunk” around with words,’ a spokesperson said, referencing Dahl’s The BFG, which used made-up terms like ‘propsposterous’ to keep readers engaged.
'I think it's important that works of literature and works of fiction are preserved and not airbrushed.’
'We have always defended the right to free speech and expression.'
Back home, many Aussies also shared similar sentiments over the development.
‘Absolutely insane. What an insult to Roald Dahl. His way of writing and use of words is why his books are so damn interesting for kids and even adults. Even my 10-year-old daughter said this was stupid and that if you don't like the words, don't read it!!! Simple, really,’ one mum said. ‘Why does the future of our kids have to be so protected and planned out for them by removing everything that may be offensive? Can they not make their own choices as they grow?’
‘It's life, it will be offensive in ways, but they need to know how to handle that. We are moulding an incredibly soft next generation!’ she added.
Others dismissed the whole thing as another consequence of ‘wokeness’.
‘So do we have to re-write every book ever written pre the “woke brigade”? This is an absolute joke! I’ve proudly read these books to my children, and guess what — they don’t go around calling people fat or skinny! As a parent, I’ve taught them right from wrong,’ another mum said.
Few supporters applaud edits to Dahl’s work
While it may seem that opinions for the move overwhelmingly skew against it, there are a few who have spoken out in support of the measure.
‘I love the Road Dahl books and have started reading them to my 4-year-old, but there are words and phrases used in there that are now understood to be harmful, and I'm pleased that small changes are being made, so they are more inclusive. It also ensures they'll stay loved,’ one mum said on Twitter.
Another mum added: ‘As long as the originals are still available, I'm quite happy to have more inclusive versions to read to my little one. I've been horrified at the content of some things I read as a child, having revisited them as an adult.’
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Matilda are among Roald Dahl's most popular books Down Under, according to Penguin Books Australia. Image Credit: Seniors Discount Club
Amid a fierce outcry, Puffin makes an announcement
Critics of the measure may find their anger assuaged a bit as Puffin Books has announced that it will continue to republish unedited versions of Dahl’s works alongside the controversial new editions, which some have tagged as ‘airbrushed’.
‘We’ve listened to the debate over the past week, which has reaffirmed the extraordinary power of Roald Dahl’s books and the very real questions around how stories from another era can be kept relevant for each new generation,’ Penguin Random House, which Puffin Books operates under, said.
‘As a children’s publisher, our role is to share the magic of stories with children with the greatest thought and care. Roald Dahl’s fantastic books are often the first stories young children will read independently, and taking care of the imaginations and fast-developing minds of young readers is both a privilege and a responsibility.’
‘We also recognise the importance of keeping Dahl’s classic texts in print. By making both Puffin and Penguin versions available, we are offering readers the choice to decide how they experience Roald Dahl’s magical, marvellous stories.’
Well, at least there’s an option for everyone!
We understand this is a divisive matter for many, so we want to ask you: what are your thoughts on this?
Do you agree that Roald Dahl’s works — and many other pieces showing ‘dated’ and potentially politically incorrect language — should be edited to be in keeping with modern times?
Or should these classic works be left as they are?
Tell us your thoughts below!
Source: YouTube/Telling Tales with Carl Ashmore
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