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'Grinch' Christmas classic read in English, Latin

Hearts grew three sizes too large at the Bull’s Head Bookshop Tuesday.

Donning a Grinch tie, English Professor Emeritus Tom Stumpf spiritedly read pages of the English version of Dr. Seuss’ “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” while a Student Stores employee, George Morgan, clad in a Santa hat and laurel, followed with the Latin translation.

The bilingual reading of Dr. Seuss’ “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” is an annual event held by the Bull’s Head Bookshop since 2001 as a way to kick off the holiday season.

Dozens attended the reading Tuesday, which has become a tradition with hot chocolate, various types of homemade cookies and “Deck the Halls” translated into Latin.

“How the Grinch Stole Christmas” is a classic short children’s book that was published in 1957, and has been the subject of films, plays and other adaptations.

Morgan, who is part of a group that holds weekly dinners to speak Latin, is an advocate for the use of the dead language. He was inspired to start the reading after the Latin translation of the book was released in 1998.

He said the English and Latin versions of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” differ as a result of the translation.

“They don’t use rhyme scheme or the rhythm of English,” Morgan said.

“It’s basically the same, but with expanded expression.”

Some of Seuss’ words had to be improvised in “Quomodo Invidiosulus Nomine Grinchus Christi Natalem Abrogaverit.”

The Who, the Christmas-loving folk that the Grinch detests, is translated as “Laetulis,” which essentially means “the little happy people.”

Kyle McKay, marketing manager for Student Stores, said the bilingual reading fits into the Bull’s Head’s quirky vibe.

Although the store sells copies of the famous Christmas tale in English, Latin, French and Spanish, the goal of the event isn’t to make money, he said.

“We hope that we can be a store that not only sells products, but also a positive member of the campus community,” McKay said.

“It’s just a real fun event that a lot of people enjoy because it puts them in the holiday spirit mood.”

The crowd, nestled in the corner of the bookstore’s children’s section, consisted mostly of students and families.

“It’s good to see children coming — that’s what it’s intended for,” Morgan said.

Anna Cobb, a seventh-grader at McDougle Middle School, and her family have come to the reading three years in a row. Neither she nor her sister understands any Latin, but she said they always have a good time.

“It’s really cool. It really gets you in the mood for Christmas.”

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