> > ...he made some interesting points about local differences and translations.
>
> Interesting points, yes; reasons for changing the books around, no.

That I would have to say I agree with. In all likelihood I would be appalled if I bought an American copy and found it to be full of references to malls instead of shops and the like. (Pratchett takes the unusual step of placing footnotes in his text (for the benefit of Americans most often) to explain peculiarly British in-jokes.) It is unfortunate that the publishers in the US would seem to have a low opinion of their readership in this case.
Please tell me it is not the masses who are demanding Americanized versions and just the work of deranged editors.

The main point of my argument was that the problems most arise when translations to another language are involved as was demonstrated by the Batman comment. It is then that the most meaning is lost as literal translations are a deadly pitfall.

Potato in French is 'Pomme de terre' - literal translation 'Apple of the earth.' If I read that in a translated french text I'd think "Earth apples? Is this some french delicacy involving outdoor cooking?"

Beware. Not for nothing did some famous person (I forget who) say, "The Americans and British are two peoples separated by a common language"

NB Suspenders here are things that hold up womens' stockings...

Beast 'liness is forgivable if you're over ninet' y