The British versions

If you’ve only read the versions of J.K. Rowling’s series that were released in the United States, then you might not realize that they’re a little different than the Harry Potter books originally released in the United Kingdom.

Since I’ve read and studied both British and American literature, I’ve long had an appreciation for those little differences between the two “languages.”  There are some common differences in spelling, and even punctuation, between British English and American English.  I’ve always enjoyed making these comparisons, so I was very excited when my mother-in-law visited England and began purchasing the British versions for me to read. 

I was also happy to share them with my daughter when we first opened Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.  I think I’ve read that the first book’s title was changed to its American title, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, so that it would sound more “magical” to American readers.  And, hey, most American kids wouldn’t read a book that sounded like it might be about philosophy, right?

In this first book and all of the rest of the British versions, I got to enjoy reading about things like Bertie Bott’s Every-Flavour Beans, and I noticed words like apologised, centre, colour, and favourite.  These little differences constantly reminded me that I was reading a very British book (as if the location and everything else about Harry’s story would let me forget!).

There are some major punctuation differences too.  First, throughout the British versions, you might notice that all of the spoken dialogue is contained in single quotation marks instead of the double quotation marks that Americans are used to.  Also, in the British books, you’ll read about Mr and Mrs Weasley and Mrs Figg, and it might look a little weird to American eyes, used to seeing titles like Mr. and Mrs. followed by a period.

Then, there are the words that Americans and Brits use differently.  For example, in the first book, Harry receives a Christmas present from Mrs. Weasley:

            ‘Hey, look – Harry’s got a Weasley jumper, too!’

            Fred and George were wearing blue jumpers, one with a large yellow F on it, the other with a large yellow G.

In the American version of the book, the word jumper was changed to sweater.  In the United States, it would be quite strange for Harry to receive a sleeveless, collarless dress (the American meaning for the word jumper) for Christmas!

I especially like the different use of the words revision and revising in the British books.  I teach writing (in the U.S.), and we spend quite a bit of time in my classes talking about the way we work to revise our writing by taking another look at a written draft and then improving it by making changes.  But, in British English, students revise for an examination by rereading their materials, memorizing facts, and getting ready to be tested on the information learned.  These practices would be called studying in the United States, right?  For example, in the chapter called “OWLs” in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (the British version), Harry and Hermione convinced Ron “to join them in revising under the beech tree at the edge of the lake” for their upcoming OWL examinations. 

And, lastly, what about pants?  In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Americans might not totally understand how upset Hermione is when she hears about the newly appointed headmaster at Hogwarts:

“‘Snape in Dumbledore’s study—Merlin’s pants!’ she shrieked, making both Harry and Ron jump.” 

In the UK, pants are underwear!  I always find this difference funny since an American talking about their pants (which in British English would be called trousers) would make for some potentially confusing conversations with someone in Great Britain who is imagining that they are speaking about their underwear.

All of these little differences make reading the British versions fun, and I like reading Harry’s story as originally written too!  So, if you get the chance to read the British versions, I highly recommend it.

:) Laura