Would you update Ben Franklin's English?

Well?

  • Yes, I'd add new paragraph breaks and fix all the spelling.

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • I'd edit it, but I'd keep enough of the 'style' to preserve the flavor of the era and author.

    Votes: 1 16.7%

  • No, I wouldn't edit a single word.

    Votes: 5 83.3%
  • Total voters
    6
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Bartholomew

Bartholomew

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Franklin's texts are filled with contractions we don't use anymore, stray capital letters, and unconventional spellings.

If you were in charge of a new edition of Franklin's autobiography, or a collection of his letters, would you edit his English into the modern?

Or leave well enough alone?
 

Storm Dream

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Bear in mind that I haven't read anything by Franklin since early high school...

I wouldn't mind seeing an updated version, if only because I remember finding his writing very difficult to get into. I realize it was part of the experience, and I did sort of start easing into it and figuring it out, but if the point of the assignment was Ben Franklin and not deciphering his writing, then I can see a modern version doing very well.
 
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