Author adapts Dickens to 'yoof speak'

LONDON, June 4 (UPI) -- A British author said he has "translated" 16 Charles Dickens novels in "yoof speak," the street language of today's British youth.

Martin Baum, who previously made waves with text-speak adaptations of Shakespeare plays, authored "Oi Mate, Gimme Some More," a tome containing his Dickens adaptations, as a means of introducing young people to classical literature, The Times of London reported Friday.

"It was da best of times and, not being funny or nuffing, but it was da worst of times, to be honest," begins "Da Tale of Two Turfs," Baum's version of "A Tale of Two Cities."

"When you try and get kids into literature they often just don't get it," Baum said. "This is aimed at breaking some of the barriers and making some of the text less intimidating while still retaining the beauty of the original stories. It is not meant to replace the original works but to encourage young people who are unfamiliar with the novels."