tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263988256560129564.post3852078424237487410..comments2023-10-30T08:00:54.059-04:00Comments on Laurel's Leaves: Howdy, 'allo, Yo: Five tips for researching dialectLaurel Garverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03657218435228802535noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263988256560129564.post-11795334741296708752014-03-03T15:17:28.846-05:002014-03-03T15:17:28.846-05:00I think dialects are a fascinating study. In one o...I think dialects are a fascinating study. In one of my WIPs, my character is from Utah and I used a euphemism for a swear word that is common in Utah. The reactions from my Midwest CP's was fascinating. I hadn't thought twice about it, but they had all kinds of opinions. It definitely made me pay more attention to word choice. :)Janet Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12688012956157161889noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263988256560129564.post-88263157876259056802014-02-26T12:44:33.243-05:002014-02-26T12:44:33.243-05:00Great examples of regional word choice. I think th...Great examples of regional word choice. I think the variations on the plural "you" are so interesting. In central PA, they say you'uns (a shortened form of "you ones" I guess). The Philly "youse" took some getting used to. <br /><br />I'm always at a loss when someone greets me "how ya doin'?" because I think the correct response is simply to repeat the question, not answer it. So I usually just say "hello" and feel stupid, because when I've said "Fine. You?" the person looked at me like I'm a mutant. Laurel Garverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03657218435228802535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263988256560129564.post-37486104399301811292014-02-26T12:36:32.101-05:002014-02-26T12:36:32.101-05:00Cockney is a tall order. They're also known fo...Cockney is a tall order. They're also known for elaborate rhyming slang. You might find it helpful to take a look at the "Dictionary of Slang and Colloquialisms in the UK" at http://www.peevish.co.uk/slang/. Also, bear in mind that "bloody" doesn't sound that offensive to American ears, but it's like dropping f-bombs, so use at your own risk. "Ruddy" is a softer alternative. But that site I mention is probably your best resource. And watching lots of re-runs of East Enders. You should also get a British beta reader to call out anything that's inauthentic. Laurel Garverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03657218435228802535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263988256560129564.post-29061829666648082572014-02-26T12:30:43.495-05:002014-02-26T12:30:43.495-05:00I hope these tips help you get a better grasp on t...I hope these tips help you get a better grasp on the dialect. Cadence is probably the toughest element to get the hang of, but immersion helps. Laurel Garverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03657218435228802535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263988256560129564.post-32699847812449116952014-02-25T21:35:34.882-05:002014-02-25T21:35:34.882-05:00When I moved to this area from New England, I had ...When I moved to this area from New England, I had to get used to hearing people say "plow" instead of "shovel" and "sweep" where I would say "vacuum." Also some of the pronounciations were different from mine: "wooder" for "water," "ant" for "aunt," etc. Not to mention the plural form of "you" pronounced like "yiz," as in, "I'll give yiz a call." Jennifer R. Hubbardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03408588432492354248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263988256560129564.post-52048486951321333922014-02-25T18:38:03.716-05:002014-02-25T18:38:03.716-05:00I have a character that has a Cockney accent! When...I have a character that has a Cockney accent! When writing him, I dropped his 'h's' and of course, he says 'bloody' a lot. What is 'wot'...and that's about all that I did w/his accent, I think. I hope I did him justice! =)Leandra Wallacehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00381034024025750992noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263988256560129564.post-6105110587457577062014-02-25T17:39:40.682-05:002014-02-25T17:39:40.682-05:00I'm working on a novel that does have some reg...I'm working on a novel that does have some regional speech patterns. Thankfully, these patterns are spoken by people I live near. But it's still difficult because these patterns are not ones that I have ever spoken or grown up hearing.Connie Kellerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10774616533630985219noreply@blogger.com