McAnally's (The Community Pub) > Author Craft
Accents
comprex:
--- Quote from: davetheyogi on May 31, 2011, 05:30:10 AM ---I'm not an author or anything but I live in London, and not the fun part, and I think there maybe cause to add more phonetic spelling of your character's dialogue. If, for example, the story takes place in the UK you can assume that everyone understands each other and throw in the occasional 'nuffink' or 'bruv' for colour. However, if it takes place in most places in North America no one is likely to understand him anyway and confusing your readers, a little, maybe appropriate.
--- End quote ---
Perhaps. On the other hand, this specific character's, ah, career choices might make the "don't advertise your origins" rule of thumb go double.
--- Quote ---By the By... do you really think Tim Roth has a thick accent?
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No. His overall sentence tone and his pitch accent are distinctive, but I would certainly not call his accent 'thick'.
Enjorous:
--- Quote from: davetheyogi on May 31, 2011, 05:30:10 AM ---By the By... do you really think Tim Roth has a thick accent?
--- End quote ---
No, not really. But he's the closest actor I can think of with the right sounding accent.
davetheyogi:
Watch 'The Football Factory' for a strong London accent.
Well... don't watch it all.
meg_evonne:
I have a friend from mediabistro class who has her masters in folklore lit and writing. She does the most amazing historical accents that drop you right into the scene. I love her writing and I love the flavor her writing presents. It completely draws you into her work. (this is MG/YA) On the other hand, she's studied the stuff. So it can be done, but I think for most of us
caution would be best.
Curly:
--- Quote from: comprex on May 25, 2011, 09:11:36 PM ---Rule of thumb: make believe like your character doesn't want to be recognized for what he is. He is trying -hard- and would very much avoid anything "iconic" because it is easy for him to know that it is a giveaway. Only put in the stuff he does not, cannot know to avoid.
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I'd second that wholeheartedly. In real life, people tone down their accents when in a foreign land because they want to be understood. Especially in the US, as any English native who watches television has a good idea of how Americans speak -or rather how they don't speak.
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