tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6320269312957801390.post1833497820763959967..comments2024-03-28T05:59:52.454-07:00Comments on TalkToYoUniverse: Using foreign language in your story - the balancing act!Juliette Wadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02879627074920760712noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6320269312957801390.post-55222502887728942972014-04-17T20:05:26.543-07:002014-04-17T20:05:26.543-07:00I listened to your panel on invented languages at ...I listened to your panel on invented languages at Baycon 2013, and I asked you a question, but the answer was hogged by another panelist. You're touching upon it here, so I thought I'd ask again. Here's my question:<br /><br />What are some techniques to introduce an invented language to the written word that make it worth the trouble? <br /><br />Here are some answers I've been able to gleam so far:<br />1) Write out the phrase in the invented language, then write out the translation in italics, as internalized in the mind of the POV character.<br />2) Words or phrases introduced, but decipherable through context (as you mention above).<br />3) Words or phrases introduced, but there for flavor only, without hope of the meaning ever being clarified unless some fan creates the equivalent of a Klingon language dictionary (you also touch upon that here).<br />4) Linguistic limitations or shaping of cultural concepts, according to the structure of a language/phrasing, etc. Basically, a Derrida/Foucault take on how language affects characters' cultural understanding (like having no concept of two or more genders, for instance).<br /><br />Can you think of any other techniques for injecting actual or invented languages into our fiction? I haven't yet looked through your archives, but plan to do so. Forgive me if you've answered this in part elsewhere already. I'll be reading through the back entries in future.<br /><br />Many thanks.Penanggalenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13856212618534435197noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6320269312957801390.post-22237427591702926522014-03-26T16:51:07.867-07:002014-03-26T16:51:07.867-07:00Thanks, Steven. I've had similar experiences w...Thanks, Steven. I've had similar experiences with unfamiliar languages. I appreciate your comment! Juliette Wadehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02879627074920760712noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6320269312957801390.post-19207582522258765162014-03-26T16:40:24.242-07:002014-03-26T16:40:24.242-07:00Really interesting post, thanks. Mostly, I'm h...Really interesting post, thanks. Mostly, I'm happy to have foreign languages be in the background. It's interesting to think about the need to be aware of different readers' different levels of knowledge! I recently read a book (Talus and the Frozen King) and it featured character names that to me might as well have been made up, but I realized later were derived from Celtic (based on the location of the story, which was set in the stone age Scotland).Stevenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17217691308605212726noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6320269312957801390.post-75689610704942060672014-03-26T16:25:46.628-07:002014-03-26T16:25:46.628-07:00Thanks for your comment, Alicia. I'm glad the ...Thanks for your comment, Alicia. I'm glad the story worked for you, of course! As for "some things are better said in a different language," I couldn't agree more! Good luck with your projects.Juliette Wadehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02879627074920760712noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6320269312957801390.post-26292332939046000702014-03-26T14:33:23.060-07:002014-03-26T14:33:23.060-07:00With knowing the tiniest bit of Japanese, I was ab...With knowing the tiniest bit of Japanese, I was able to understand everything critical (I thought) in your story with no problems. For me, that means I wasn't jerked out of the story with the feeling that I'd missed something.<br /><br />So for me what you did worked just right.<br /><br />I use Spanish, French, and a little bit of Latin almost as color touches when I write, and explain as subtly as necessary - preferably in some way that is not an infodump - quickly enough that the reader should barely have time to form the question 'What does that mean?' before the answer is provided.<br /><br />Having grown up bilingual English/Spanish, I just tone it way back as if I were speaking to someone who doesn't speak Spanish (my husband is a convenient reference point). Some things are better said in a different language.<br /><br />AliciaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com