The da Vinci Code

[SteveD]

KJC0123's language questions in the Phrases & Sayings section in which he quotes passages from "The da Vinci Code" made me wonder if any other Brits found the use of American English out of place in that book.

Of course, the author, being American, has every justification to use American English and the language would presumably sound "right" to Americans.

However, because most of the action in the book takes place in Paris and in the UK, the use of American words such as "rotary" and "gotten" seems out of place as do the americanisms used by French characters when speaking English.

Admittedly, I bought my copy of the book in Spain and it is an American edition.  Is there a British edition with the language anglicised?

[jno]

There's an illustrated DV Code, full of medieval illuminations and stained glass... A Rough Guide to the DV Code so you can follow its tracks...

But a well written DV Code? I don't think so!

[EssJay1]

I don't think the Americans translate their books the way the Brits have to for an American audience. Think of Alan Bennett's "George III" and whatever they changed the first HP book to. So, no I don't think you'll find an anglicised DV code, and yes, the americanisms do jar when read!

[issy]

Interesting point on Americanisation - the word "that" is slowly disappearing from English English and I find this to be an example of a disturbing Americanisation trend on this side of the pond.

[babyshambles]

"We have really everything in common with America nowadays except, of course, language." - Oscar Wilde

[Xollob]

What they did to HP1 was an act of cultural barbarism.

[Francis Asis]

Issy - in what context is the word "that" disappearing? I'm not sure what you mean.

[EssJay1]

"That" is probably the most overused word anyway. I wouldn't mind if that word disappeared! I don't think it's an Americanisation - unlike the nounification of words.

"HP and the Sorcerers Stone" - I remembered!

[Didwot]

I have to report that I thought the Da Vinci Code was potentially the worst book I have ever read. The action is based upon the assumption that an expert in codes and professor of "symbology" have tremendous difficulty working out simple anagrams and other mindless clues. The geography of Paris and London are hoplessly garbled. East is West, Time zones do not exist, The Last Supper is different from the one I (and anyone else) have seen, and of course all the French prefer to use English to their own language. Did I mention that the characters are not even two dimensional. Read this book at your peril, but do not waste your money buying it.