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TheScribe
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Language in Fantasy
I have a question I'd like to run by you.
Someone said to me that I should know why my fantasy world speaks English, and I should show that in my writing. Did someone from our world invade the fantasy world eons ago? If not, where did the language originate from?
To me, my people speak English because they do (and because it's the only language I know). I think the language in a story is unimportant - it's the story that counts.
I don't care where the language came from. Do you? When you read a fantasy story and everyone is talking English, do you wonder how come? Does it upset you if the author doesn't explain why the language is English?
What are your thoughts on this?
--- Speculative Realms: Where there's a will, there's a way
A collection of fantasy, science fiction and horror stories
Includes my story “Where Strength Lies”
Purchase now from http://www.speculativerealms.com |
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1/11/2005, 3:39 am
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AlesiaJo
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Re: Language in Fantasy
I think you're right. It's just natural to pick up a book and start reading. If it was in another country and the household spoke English then that would need to be explained. I don't think many people would question the language.
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1/11/2005, 11:46 am
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SFGirl
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Re: Language in Fantasy
Scribe, I don't think it's something I'd worry about. And your reader is making an assumption--are the characters really speaking English, or has it just been "translated" into English so that he/she could read it? Maybe they speak Garbonzian, but if it were written that way, what would be the point? Not many of your readers speak it, I'll bet.
Some authors throw in the occasional word or phrase of another "language" to give the impression that their characters are not speaking English, which is also perfectly acceptable and often helps to emphasize the feeling of being in another "place" in the story. But it's not necessary. I think it's a convention of Fantasy understood by most readers that the characters are speaking in their own language--but it's presented in English so that English readers can understand it. Or French, or German, etc. etc.
Sherry
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Reading: Best of F&SF 50th Edition
Writing: editing "Summer of The Widows"
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1/11/2005, 1:43 pm
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McDoogle
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Re: Language in Fantasy
Hi Scribe,
I'm really curious as to who said, "your should know why your Fantasy World speaks English"???? A test reader? A writing instructor? A potential publisher? It seems like a really small point to get all hung up about...
The others have already made some really good points. What I would add is that I remember a little fantasy book making the rounds a few years ago called 'Lord of the Rings'. And the Hobbits all spoke English. The Wizards spoke English. The Drawves spoke English. The Elves could speak English in addition to Elven. All the men from all of the lands spoke English - not German, or Russian, or Mala Mala. Even the Orcs spoke English!!! And Tolkein neven explained why English was the universal language of Middle Earth - so I don't think you really have to worry much about it either Scribe... Unless of course, you want to! 
Don't know if my ramblings helped...
McDoogle
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Now Race Reading vs. nephew: Furies Of Calderon
Slightly Writing: 'Resume for a Gladiator' (2005 novel)
Watching: Pushing Daisies (X- Canceled!!)
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1/11/2005, 5:25 pm
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TheScribe
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Re: Language in Fantasy
It was an editor who said it and although all his other advice has been priceless, this has been stressing me out.
Thank you for clearing my head.
--- Speculative Realms: Where there's a will, there's a way
A collection of fantasy, science fiction and horror stories
Includes my story “Where Strength Lies”
Purchase now from http://www.speculativerealms.com |
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1/11/2005, 8:05 pm
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TheScribe
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Re: Language in Fantasy
If I were to say that my main character is from our world and she is taken to a fantasy world, would this make a difference to your reply?
I'm told this is an important fact that I should have mentioned in my first post. 
--- Speculative Realms: Where there's a will, there's a way
A collection of fantasy, science fiction and horror stories
Includes my story “Where Strength Lies”
Purchase now from http://www.speculativerealms.com |
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1/13/2005, 1:01 am
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Lady Julia
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Re: Language in Fantasy
quote:
If I were to say that my main character is from our world and she is taken to a fantasy world, would this make a difference to your reply?
I don't write fantasy Scribe, but do enjoy reading it.
I have to agree with the others on this topic, and I don't think your character going from our world to a fantasy world makes a difference at all. Look at the Chronicles of Narnia, Alice in Wonderland, and The Neverending Story, they all take characters from our world to a fantasy world. (Didn't I read on one of your posts somewhere that you are writing Fantasy for young readers)?
Cheers,
Julia
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1/13/2005, 1:25 am
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TheScribe
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Re: Language in Fantasy
Yes, I do. Thank you for replying, Julia.
I'm wondering if it's only writers who would look for the reason why English is spoken in a strange world. You know, writers do insist on carrying that red pen everywhere... 
I don't know what to do. I'm feeling torn in two directions over it.
--- Speculative Realms: Where there's a will, there's a way
A collection of fantasy, science fiction and horror stories
Includes my story “Where Strength Lies”
Purchase now from http://www.speculativerealms.com |
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1/13/2005, 4:21 am
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Jule oftheIsle
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Re: Language in Fantasy
Hi Scribe, just checking in with my 1.5 cents.
I read and write Fantasy enough that I feel okay about offering my opinion on this one.
Personally, the language appearing to be English is irrelevant to me in most cases.
As SFGirl pointed out, perhaps the story is a "translation" - Indeed, I would look at the Fantasy Novel or Fantasy Short Story as being the "Universal Translator" to use a Trekkie term. We are not "hearing" the story in English - we are perceiving it in English via the author.
Unfortunately, I must agree that the fact that your character went from our world to another world is a slightly sticky point.
I read, and loved, the Narnia stories at an age where it didn't occur to me to question it, which I dare say would be the case with many of your potential readers now - regardless of age. However, were I to re-read them now, likely I would notice it, but be willing to overlook it - or as has been said many times, suspend my disbelief in the interest of enjoying a good fantasy tale.
There are many things to consider, in my opinion, before making the decision to explain away the language issue. Firstly, is your character simply in another dimension of our world, an alternate universe, etc. in which case, English could still very well be the language spoken. Or one language spoken. Secondly, even if it is a completely different planet, perhaps there is a logical reason that your character "perceives" the alien's language as English even though it's not.
Perhaps she is cognizant of the fact that it is not English, but it is so similar that she has little trouble understanding most of it and so it bears little mention beyond an initial one and then perhaps slight references later on - which could actually make for some interesting plot developments. For instance, if she misconstrues something that sounds quite close to a word or phrase that means just the opposite...
In other words, to explain or not to explain, that is the question. The answer is up to you and only you - but instead of being a huge scary re-write, it could be some minor tweaking with a creative twist that would be putty in your writerly hands...
Jule
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1/13/2005, 10:57 am
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Uncle Mac
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Re: Language in Fantasy
I think it is a moot point to need to understand why your characters are speaking in english. Like Julie said, it's an irrelevant point. The reader is reading it in english and won't have a clue what's going on if, say for example, your hero starts speaking Klingonese. The same hold true for science fiction writing.
There is one point to make, and my editor is always on my case about this. She stresses that American, or even simply Terran slang does not exist on alien worlds or in fantasy realms. Try to avoid slang as much as possible if you can, or create your own slang. If you would like a good example of alien or fantasy slang, check out any episode of 'Farscape'.
I was recently working on Chapter 3 of Avenging Angel: Book Two of The Alliance Chronicles and came to a flashback scene where the heroes were ambushed by elven terrorists. When the lead elf gave her commands, I looked up an elven language translator online which I believe was based on Lord of The Rings and used words that closely translated to 'ready', 'aim' and fire'. Using the elven words worked out nicely because while the reader may not speak elvish, the actions that followed the words being spoken will give the reader and idea of what they meant.
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Jay M. Hurd
Author - Ascension: Book One of The Alliance Chronicles
ISBN# 1-4137-3709-9
http://ascension.pfrpg.org
Working on: Avenging Angel & The Migichinan Sourcebook
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1/13/2005, 1:01 pm
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