The recent debate over changes to the original texts of Roald Dahl’s books became so intense in the UK that it prompted an interjection from Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who said in a statement that fiction should be preserved not airbrushed.
Mr Sunak’s comments were made after it was reported that Dahl’s UK publisher said it had edited such classics as Matilda and The BFG to bring their language up to date for modern audiences, a decision that attracted widespread condemnation in literary circles and beyond.
An Associated Press report on the changes said that Augustus Gloop from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory would be described as “enormous” in the edited versions rather than “enormously fat” descriptor of the originals. Other edits included a character described as an “old crow” in the new editions, updated from “old hag” in the originals.
Those who object to changes being made to Dahl’s work describe them as vandalism and censorship and argue that when you alter someone’s work it is no longer theirs. Salman Rushdie said the publisher and Dahl’s estate should be “ashamed” for undertaking the process.
Those on the other side of the debate say that leaving the original texts to fester as artefacts from a less inclusive past is equally abusive, although it has been almost impossible to hear those voices amid the cacophony of outrage generated by those who maintain Dahl’s texts are untouchable.
Whether you see sensitivity readers as a latter-day literary vandal or a necessary part of contemporary society lies at the heart of this debate
A compromise of sorts has now been reached with the UK publishers saying they will publish two versions of its Roald Dahl Classic Collection of stories: one in unedited form and the other that updated the parts of his classic stories that dealt with issues such as weight and race, among others.
The decision to publish both versions seems tailored to please no one while attempting to please everyone, although the publisher said its intention was to offer readers “the choice to decide how they experience Roald Dahl’s magical, marvellous stories”.
But clearly the decision is commercial as well, with Dahl’s books continuing to sell in large numbers and his characters regularly featuring in celebrations to mark World Book Day, which was this week.
The whole episode also brought opprobrium to the door of the sensitivity readers who are employed by publishers to look at texts and make suggestions to bring them up to date for modern audiences. Dahl’s texts were reviewed using this form of editorial oversight.
One sensitivity reader interviewed by DW said her role was “looking for things that may not come across in the way the author intended to be”. Tellingly, she also said that people regularly dismiss her job as being part of a “woke mob” intent on ruining the books of our lives.
Whether you see sensitivity readers as a latter-day literary vandal or a necessary part of contemporary society lies at the heart of this debate.
I can see their value and, generally, editorial processes require multiple sets of hands to ensure a piece of writing is fit for publication. This process also depends on the skill and dexterity demonstrated by the editor to move a text forwards in an appropriate way. Conversely, there can’t be many people who don’t benefit from a fresh set of eyes looking at a piece of work and making suggestions and comments.
Why then is it so bad for someone to edit if the work itself is deemed important enough to still be consumed and in circulation? Surely an important facet of society is to question, analyse and constantly improve.
More than that, language lives and changes all the time. What was standard usage yesterday may turn out to be the most old-fashioned and regressive form of communication tomorrow.
We are all aware of films or TV shows that we once watched in large numbers but are completely inappropriate for modern audiences because they use outdated conventions or language.
It is also common for art exhibitions to run with text boards to provide nuance and context to the visitor about the works they are seeing and what may have motivated a particular treatment or movement.
No one can honestly say that the world we live in or the way people think and act is the same as it was in the mid-1960s when Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was written. Culture moves constantly and we should be reevaluating texts for meaning, relevance and, yes, their ability to cause offence.
There is a third way through this issue, which was suggested by author Philip Pullman. He told the BBC that “if Dahl offends us, let him go out of print”.
Given the choice, I would pick nuance over non-circulation of classic texts or wilful non-intervention.
Mr Sunak’s statement on the matter said that “we shouldn’t gobblefunk around with words”, but we shouldn’t be afraid to challenge outmoded language either. There should always be room for sympathetic preservation.
Monster
Directed by: Anthony Mandler
Starring: Kelvin Harrison Jr., John David Washington
3/5
The specs
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8
Power: 611bhp
Torque: 620Nm
Transmission: seven-speed automatic
Price: upon application
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Indika
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The specs
Engine: 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6
Power: 540hp at 6,500rpm
Torque: 600Nm at 2,500rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Kerb weight: 1580kg
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Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
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The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
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Transmission: 10-speed automatic
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The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
Cry Macho
Director: Clint Eastwood
Stars: Clint Eastwood, Dwight Yoakam
Rating:**
Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5
The specs
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Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
The specs
Price: From Dh529,000
Engine: 5-litre V8
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Power: 520hp
Torque: 625Nm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.8L/100km
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Key fixtures from January 5-7
Watford v Bristol City
Liverpool v Everton
Brighton v Crystal Palace
Bournemouth v AFC Fylde or Wigan
Coventry v Stoke City
Nottingham Forest v Arsenal
Manchester United v Derby
Forest Green or Exeter v West Brom
Tottenham v AFC Wimbledon
Fleetwood or Hereford v Leicester City
Manchester City v Burnley
Shrewsbury v West Ham United
Wolves v Swansea City
Newcastle United v Luton Town
Fulham v Southampton
Norwich City v Chelsea
FIGHT INFO
Men’s 60kg Round 1:
Ahmad Shuja Jamal (AFG) beat Krisada Takhiankliang (THA) - points
Hyan Aljmyah (SYR) beat Akram Alyminee (YEM) - retired Round 1
Ibrahim Bilal (UAE) beat Bhanu Pratap Pandit (IND) - TKO Round 1
Men’s 71kg Round 1:
Seyed Kaveh Soleyman (IRI) beat Abedel Rahman (JOR) - RSC round 3.
Amine Al Moatassime (UAE) walk over Ritiz Puri (NEP)
The%20specs
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What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
MATCH INFO
Barcelona 5 (Lenglet 2', Vidal 29', Messi 34', 75', Suarez 77')
Valladolid 1 (Kiko 15')
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What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 258hp from 5,000-6,500rpm
Torque: 400Nm from 1,550-4,000rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.1L/100km
Price: from Dh362,500
On sale: now
LIVERPOOL SQUAD
Alisson Becker, Virgil van Dijk, Georginio Wijnaldum, James Milner, Naby Keita, Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah, Joe Gomez, Adrian, Jordan Henderson, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Adam Lallana, Andy Lonergan, Xherdan Shaqiri, Andy Robertson, Divock Origi, Curtis Jones, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Neco Williams
The Matrix Resurrections
Director: Lana Wachowski
Stars: Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss, Jessica Henwick
Rating:****
Sonchiriya
Director: Abhishek Chaubey
Producer: RSVP Movies, Azure Entertainment
Cast: Sushant Singh Rajput, Manoj Bajpayee, Ashutosh Rana, Bhumi Pednekar, Ranvir Shorey
Rating: 3/5
