[Jon Shannow]

O.K. people I would like to know what everybody thinks about this why are the names of books and movies changed for the Americans what does it gain anyone

World = Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.

America = Harry Potter and the Sorceror's Stone.

I mean whats the difference

[ChrisW]

The rest of the world is smarter:D . That's also why we have Erikson and they don't:cool: .

[sunback]

I think this is because the markerters want to appeal to the culture that the books are being cov\nverted to, if you have noticed lots of times they change the cover art for this same reason

[Cygnus]

We had this discussion some time ago and there were a couple of theories. I had heard that the name was changed because American kids are assumed to be stupid and wouldn't read a book with the word philosopher in the title. Since I am one of those american kids (I use this term loosely), I don't remember what the other theory was! What a dope. :)

What I don't get is why they change the cover art for different countries. Anyone know the reason behind this?

[Caly]

I think they change the cover art on books to appeal to the different cultures. Things that are popular in one place are just not popular in another, thus they change the cover to suit the consumers. Sometimes this is silly, but a lot of things publishers do seems silly to me. I must admit I miss my American covers, esp with the Diane Wynne Jones reprints. I really don't like the British covers of those at all. They are just so cheesy.

Caleyna

[Alle]

Although the different covers can be irritating, the change in names is more so. At least for me. The new Jan Siegel book comes out in the UK under the title of Witch's Honour, but in the US it's The Witch Queen. Its just stupid. imo. But even worse are the differing publishing dates. Does anyone know when David Farland's Wizardborn comes out in ppb in the US? Its been available in ppb (not trade ppb either) in the UK for a long time now.

Alle

[asimovian]

sunback :
|quote]
I think this is because the markerters want to appeal to the culture that the books are being cov\nverted to
[/quote]
Actually I don't think they appeal to culture at all. The new words are only and solely calculated to induce the public to pay a ticket ; I don't believe there is any other motivation behind it. Don't forget that if it is the marketeers who are effecting this change, they are not concerned about any cultural aspect at all, except where it influences box-office income.

[jfclark]

Of course marketers think first about the monetary impact of their presentation. But obviously they use "cultural" knowledge to determine what changes would most enhance revenues. Publishers no doubt spend lots of money researching the "cultural" preferences of their intended audiences.

[Miriamele]

What Cygnus said is right. They publisher of Harry Potter in the States thought that the American public would be scared by the word "Philosopher," so they changed it to a less threatening "Sorcerer." I don't see the need for the change, personally. But that was the reason.

[manticore]

isnt philip pullmans 'Northern Lights' published as 'The Golden Compass' in America?

Why on earth?