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  Sunday, September 26, 2004

Cracking the Code, Redux

I received my paperback copy of The DaVinci Code a few days ago. The bill was itemized in pounds, but by checking my credit card account online I was able to see that the cost for the book and shipping was a few dollars less than the retail cost of the hardback version without shipping. Not that it matters... it's the principle of the thing. :)

I've read the first few chapters, and so far it's a great read. It moves fast, it develops the characters well, it immediately sets up the premise of the book. It's a really big book, which I like, because it means I'll have something to read for a while. The only problem is, well, it's been translated from the American. I have to read it in British.

What? You think I'm joking? I am not. Take the following two sentences I've made up, for example:

1) "Just kick the tires, man," said the general.

2) 'Just kick the tyres, man,' said the general.

A discerning eye will notice two differences between the sentences. Line 1 is in American. Tires is spelled properly and the speech is in double-quotes. Line 2 is in British, with the Brit spelling of tires and single-quotes around the speech. The paperback I received is formatted the way line 2 is. I'm wondering what other differences I'll find.

By the way, between writing this blog and reading books and other blogs, I find I've been neglecting the editing of my own book. Shame on me. I need an intervention or something. Help me, Tara! I'm gonna let myself putter around another half hour, then I'm going to force myself to work on my book. I promise.


Blog Tag: Reviews   Blog Tag: The Da Vinci Code

3 Comments:

At 9/26/2004 3:39 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

LMAO! Serves you right!
Lisa

 
At 9/27/2004 4:40 AM, Blogger Claude said...

Well, someone has thought of your predicament ;o)
Have a look at this dictionaryWe, non-native speakers, experience these difficulties constantly. I never know how to spell words like analyse -or is it analyze?

 
At 9/27/2004 3:35 PM, Blogger Tara said...

Dave! I'm here! How can I help?! :)
Get to work, mister. NOW!
Does that help?
:)

 

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