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Cathy replied to the topic Character Castle 2.0 in the forum Fantasy Writers 5 years, 4 months ago
You asked the right person! XD. I know three languages (four if you count Latin, and five if you count understanding but not speaking German) I speak Afrikaans, Dutch, and English. (English is my third language and my favorite.) Tell me if you want to know any phrases in any of those languages, or if you want any pointers on writing multilingual characters. There are some things that authors get wrong consistently, (Switching from one language to the other is the easiest thing in the world.) so tell me if you want to know some tips! The first thing that comes to mind is that you constantly blank out on words, even in your mother tongue, and even if you actually know them. Example: I just completely blanked out on the word “sentence” while writing Liorah’s part below and literally just sat staring at the screen like “Vonnis. Come on, what’s English for vonnis? I know this!” I had to resort to looking it up. *Sigh*That is AMAZING!!! Like I never would’ve guessed in a million years English wasn’t your first language you’re so fluent! That’s so cool, you’ve gotta teach me! And yes please teach me how to write multilingual characters accurately, I have quite a few bilingual and multilingual character and I really wanna learn more there. Do bilingual/multilingual people frequently use syntax or phraseology of a different language from what they’re speaking so like how in Latin the adjective usually goes after the noun but in English the adjective usually goes before noun would someone be prone to using their mother-tongue’s grammatical rules in another language and confusing people? (well that was a very long confusing sentence, sorry I hope it makes sense).
In Dutch, there are a couple of ways of saying ‘shut up’, all of which are hilarious. You can say: ‘Hou je kop (dicht)!’, the literal translation is “hold your head (shut)”. Or, my personal favorite: “Hou je waffel!” Which translates to “hold your waffle.” I have no idea where that comes from, but it never fails to be funny. Dutch has the weirdest sayings, and when you translate them literally, they become twice as funny!That’s awesome! Can you teach me Dutch? I’ve always wanted to learn a new language and those saying are so funny!
How do you say ‘hi how are you?’ In Dutch informally and how in more ‘correct’/formal way?
How many different forms of slang are their in your mother-language? I know Ehud talks in a kinda grammatically incorrect Southern teen way and Rosario’s 1st person is usually more getto gang-speak and all.
Oh where are you from and what’s your home like and I’m asking too many questions?“Ehud? You know, I found out something really interesting.” You mean like how it’s actually the male seahorse that gets pregnant? Ehud bobbed up and stared at Liorah, fumbling with his glow-in-the-dark pony. Her tone seemed to indicate it was a different kind of interesting though.
“I’ve known many who claimed to be wise, many who prided themselves on their riches, or their power, or their might.” she said and Ehud mentally ran through the list pretty sure he didn’t have any of those, but she did say claimed so they didn’t seem very important. “But I’ve found that those, despite all they have, are often rude, cruel, poor, and foolish. And I’ve met those that have treasure greater than all of them, despite what the world might say.”
Dropping to the ground beside her, Ehud turned the pink pony up and down so its light refracted against the walls weirdly like it were alive, without paying attention to what he was doing. He was fascinated by Liorah’s voice; he wasn’t used to hearing someone use a gentle tone like that.
“Those who are kind. You’re one of them, and I’m glad I’ve met you.” The pony froze. Ehud ducked between his shoulders and tilted his head at her as he turned pink. His brain couldn’t catch up to the words in time because it had never really occurred to him. Liorah smiled and shoved herself up. Sure, maybe he was kind but just about everybody was in their own way, he didn’t think was particularly…well anything other than weird. Wait, she was standing on her hurt leg and he needed to help her!
Jumping up Ehud made a move to help but thought better of it then changed his mind and by the time he’d decided whether or not it was appropriate to help she had already sat down. Ehud blinked still trying to reconcile himself to what she’d said. “But…well, um, well Riure’s kind, and Rosy’s kind,” He started babbling but Ehud wasn’t actually paying attention to whether or not anyone was listening he just had to say it. Even though his only audience was the glowing pony (named Sprinkles). “And you’re kind and…Wylo I’m not sure I think he’s kind to Kiark but I’m not sure…oh and Mr Fai…Allen, he’s kind…”
At an off noise, Ehud looked up. Riure was crying and Liorah had gone to comfort her. Instinctively he glanced around to see if anyone was actually asleep.
“…think it’s the castle doing it. I had on too. You know, the usual stuff. I’m a disgrace, I’ll never be good enough, I’ve disappointed everyone, you know the kind. And my brother screamed at me.”
Ehud blinked and rubbed his eyes. Then he jumped nearly yelping when somebody tapped his shoulder.
“I can take my shift now if you want to get some rest.” Gwen whispered. Ehud raked his hair but I just got this job…By now he was confused and trying to figure out if people were sleeping or just pretend-sleeping now.
“Oh. Did you get a nightmare to? It’s ok, I think Lord Castle’s mad again.”Oh man, Kiark’s worst fear was such an intense read, it was really good!
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