03 December 2008

Too strong to translate

The Times has finally caught up with the rest of us and from Monday of this week (1 December) has begun to call Mumbai Mumbai instead of Bombay. Cue the inevitable trickle of letters to the editor on place-names and associated matters. My favourite so far is by the author Anthony Powell, in today's paper (3 December, p. 33):

Sir, I was interested to read your reasons for choosing to use Mumbai rather than Bombay.
Nevertheless, having been born in Chorlton-cum-Hardy, I was taken aback to read in the biography of me printed in the programme of the Paris Opera that "Monsieur Powell était né a Chorlton-cum-Robuste".
ANTHONY POWELL
London SE3

Background reading: rather old-fashioned article about why the Times has decided to change their house style - could and should have been written several years ago.

[Correction: I have misidentifed Mr Powell. Please see comments for details. Thanks to Philip Amos for pointing out my error.]

3 Dec 2008 18:41:00 | Miscellaneous

5 Comments

Philip Amos

I do believe this Anthony Powell must be the costume designer, Maxine. Anthony Powell of A Dance to the Music of Time shuffled off the mortal coil eight years ago.

Posted by: Philip Amos | 03 December 2008 at 18:53

crimeficreader

Thanks Maxine. That one had me laughing out loud.

Posted by: crimeficreader | 03 December 2008 at 20:12

Maxine

Thanks, Philip, and how sad. Still, witty, nevertheless.

Posted by: Maxine | 03 December 2008 at 20:15

Susan Balée

I love it! Both Powells are dancing to the music of time, methinks. The times that are a-changin', and the time that loops back as memory.

Posted by: Susan Balée | 04 December 2008 at 21:22

Maxine

Neat allusion, Susan! Wish I'd thought of it.

Posted by: Maxine | 04 December 2008 at 21:54

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