Roald Dahl was one of the star authors of the 20th century, his works include classics such as “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”, “The Zwicks Are Upside Down” and even a screenplay for a “James Bond” film. However, some of these books will soon be released in their English-language version in a modified form – because the publisher has identified “offensive language” in the works and would now like to remove it.
Among other things, the publisher “Puffin” takes issue with the fact that Augustus Gloop is described as “fat” in “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”. In the new edition, he should instead only be called “enormous”. The workers in Willy Wonka’s factory are now also undergoing a change: Instead of being presented as “little men” as before, they are now only to be introduced as “little people”.
Other changes also include the classic “The Zwicks are upside down”. There Ms. Zwick is described as “ugly and bestial” – too much for the publisher: “bestial” may remain, but “ugly” is deleted without replacement. In other books, verses were rewritten, replaced or added, as the Guardian reports.
The changes to his works were nothing new for Roald Dahl: The author had to rewrite the origin and appearance of the Oompa Loompa during his lifetime because the original depiction was criticized as racist and discriminatory.
According to the publisher, changes to works in new editions are basically nothing special and, in the case of Roald Dahl’s books, have only been made slightly and carefully. The publisher sought advice on the changes from Inclusive Minds, an organization for inclusion, diversity and accessibility in children’s books.
Those: “Guardian”
