I always wondered why it is some times referred to as "The philosifers Stone"
2006-09-12 14:39:04 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
Because the author, J.K.Rowling, was asked by an american publisher to change the title from "Philosopher's Stone" (which is something already mentioned in literature) to "Sorcerer's Stone" for the American market so it would sound more "magical". At this moment, she regrets making that decision, but she was so happy anyone would publish her at the time, so she just decided she would do it.
2006-09-12 14:41:44 · answer #1 · answered by madonna_fan 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The original title was "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone".
The philosopher's stone is a concept that originally arose in medieval Europe in the study of alchemy and was a substance which, amongst other things, was supposed to allow the alchemist to turn base metal to gold.
Apparently, this was considered too esoteric for the American market and indeed for the French, where the books is known as Harry Potter and the School for Sorcerers.
2006-09-13 08:19:32 · answer #2 · answered by UKJess 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Philosopher's stone is the actual title. The publishers and J. K. Rowling didn't want Americans to wonder what a Philosopher was, so changed it to Sorcerer, because they would know what it was.
2006-09-12 22:55:43 · answer #3 · answered by Rachel O 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The original title, i.e. in the UK, as well as the title in Canada and Australia, is The Philosopher's Stone. When Scolastic bought the publication rights for the US, they decided to make certain changes to the text, to make it easier for American children to understand (i.e. crisps vs. chips, jumper vs. sweater, that sort of thing). One of those things was to change the title, I suppose because they figured American children didn't know what a philosopher's stone is, and sorcerer's stone was a catchy name.
2006-09-12 21:46:20 · answer #4 · answered by nellierslmm 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Easy answer here
the book was called Philosophers Stone originally but was changed to Sorcerers stone for the USA market
- i guess they couldnt understand the work 'Philospher' in the USA
2006-09-12 21:49:01 · answer #5 · answered by ssmirk 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
In some countries Philosopher would not be understood that well, so it was changed to sorcerers stone, also a saleability thing.
2006-09-15 08:19:50 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
J.K. Rowling was asked about this issue in an interview (several probably) and this was the answer in her words:
Q: Does it bother you that in America they changed the names of your books?
A: They changed the first title, but with my consent to be honest. I wish I hadn't agreed now but it was my first book, and I was so grateful that anyone was publishing me I wanted to keep them happy.
There is a list of the differences between the American version of the book and the original.
2006-09-13 06:00:36 · answer #7 · answered by Kami 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the sorcerer's stone is for the american market; the philosopher's stone is for the british market.
2006-09-12 21:41:47 · answer #8 · answered by jgirl 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
they named it the philosopher's stone first, and J. K. Rowling changed it to the sorcerer's stone..
2006-09-12 22:43:53 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
It was changed for the American edition because the publishers were afraid that American's wouldn't know what "philosopher" meant (nor how to spell it).
2006-09-13 02:01:15 · answer #10 · answered by injanier 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋