Darwin's On the Origin of Species: A Modern Rendition

When Darwin's On the Origin of Species was published (1859), it carried the standard notation that "the Right of Translation is reserved." Duzdevich, a doctoral student in biology at Columbia University, seeks to translate Darwin's seminal work for today's readers, clarifying that this is "not an abridgement." What exactly is it? While evolutionary biologist Olivia Judson's foreword says that Darwin's "high Victorian writing" is what stands in the way for today's readers, Duzdevich insists that "the linguistic flavor of the original remains." While he allows Darwin's wonderful final paragraph to stand, he strips out much of the author's style elsewhere. Darwin knew nothing of genes or biochemistry. His book is not now read to render today's science accessible. It is read to witness Darwin, layer upon layer, persuading readers through evidence (e.g., in domestic breeding; in geological strata) that a process of "natural selection" operates upon animals, resulting in reproductively distinct groups (species). Today's lay readers need no such convincing (even if they argue against evolution). They read Origin as a historical landmark of scientific literature. Duzdevich updates some terms: "organic beings" are now "organisms"; "uncivilized man" becomes "uncivilized peoples": perplexingly he retains that most Victorian of adjectives.