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lisa2062

http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2008/aug/21/jacqueline.wilson while it's certainly an offensive word, I agree that it was used purely to portray the nastines of the character. The word is being changed to 'twit' now, but do any of you think that it's nessicary? Lisa x

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annecater · Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 1:41 pm Post subject:

I'm in two minds over this Lisa. I personally hate that word and would never use it and hate to hear it, so yes I do probably agree with the publisher's decision. I dont have children, but if I did and one of them used that word and I found out that they had seen it in a book aimed at them, I dont think I would be very happy
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Currently reading: The Tent The Bucket and Me by Emma Kennedy and Granny The Pag by Nina Bawden

1001 Challenge Books read in 2009 - 3
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sparkymarky · Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 3:42 pm Post subject:

i see both sides of the argument and think that it is the sort of word kids will soon learn from the playground anyway but agree that i wouldn't want to hear my daughter coming out with it when shes older and if children read it in jaquie wilson they might think it is more acceptable to use the word than it is. mind you changing the word to twit sounds so dated...who uses the word twit anymore? lol

blueflower · Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 6:23 pm Post subject:

I think it was a bit silly of Jacqueline Wilson to use that word in a young teenagers book. As Sparky says they will hear it in the playground but reading the word in a book written by a well known author does seem to give the word some - I was going to say respectability but that not really the word I was looking for but can't think of the right one at the moment. It is bad enough hear teenage lads shouting words like that in the street and I don't think we need to have younger children thinking it is OK. Even in this day and age it is still an offensive word for most people and I am surprised that Miss Wilson as pulled a stunt like this.
I do wonder if the the publishers wanted it included to get some free publicity for the books or am I just cynical?

sparkymarky · Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 6:42 pm Post subject:

cynical...you blueflower?

naaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhh lol

blueflower · Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 8:38 pm Post subject:

annecater · Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2008 12:26 pm Post subject:

I've just read an article about this in the newspaper. The woman interviewed in the article complained to the publisher about the word who instantly agreed to change it. Somehow I cant believe that they agreed after just one complaint. Jaqueline Wilson commented that she didnt intend the word to be offensive!!!
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Currently reading: The Tent The Bucket and Me by Emma Kennedy and Granny The Pag by Nina Bawden

1001 Challenge Books read in 2009 - 3
1001 Challenge Books read in 2008 - 8
1001 Challenge Books read in 2007 - 13

eightlegs · Posted: Sun Aug 24, 2008 9:09 pm Post subject:

I agree with the removal of it, it is an offensive word and things in print do seem to carry a bit more weight than verbal comments. I wonder how the BBC would deal with it on TV before the watershed?!

On the same subject, I am currently reading the fifth Harry Potter with my son who is nearly 9. We read some to him at bedtime then he reads alone for a bit. This evening I had to read aloud the word "git" a couple of times. It is not something I would say and I find horrid to read aloud; I would probably ask my children not to use it in front of me too. It is said by Ron which makes it acceptable in HP terms, since he is on the good side but I don't see why its use is necessary. I know HP is not aimed at children as young as 8 but I know many 9 & 10 yr olds read it so I would still prefer it not to be there!

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