1. Having trouble logging in by clicking the link at the top right of the page? Click here to be taken to the log in page.
    Dismiss Notice

Opinion needed on Writing an accent

Discussion in 'TalkCeltic Pub' started by RocknRolla67, Feb 4, 2013.

Discuss Opinion needed on Writing an accent in the TalkCeltic Pub area at TalkCeltic.net.

  1. RocknRolla67

    Joined:
    Nov 27, 2009
    Messages:
    3,761
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Pride of Lowell
    Fav Celtic Player:
    All of Em
    Fav Celtic Song:
    YNWA
    I am currently writing a story where the main character is a young man who was raised in Ireland, my question is: Do you think I should write the accent? Occasionally use Irish slang? Or just leave it alone all together?
     
  2. Mr. Slippyfist

    Joined:
    Dec 20, 2009
    Messages:
    5,213
    Likes Received:
    7,333
    How the * do can you get to type letters with a Fadah?

    Tiocfaidh ár lá

    As in like the wee bits above ar la?


    I'd go with the accent mate.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 4, 2013
  3. verdi-y-blanco

    Joined:
    May 20, 2008
    Messages:
    348
    Likes Received:
    1
    Location:
    Leeds
    Fav Celtic Player:
    Henrik Larsson
    Fav Celtic Song:
    Willie Maley
    Writing in the vernacular is very difficult but fantastic if you can pull it off. Take Trainspotting as an example, all the speech is written this way and it gives the book so much more character.
     
  4. RocknRolla67

    Joined:
    Nov 27, 2009
    Messages:
    3,761
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Pride of Lowell
    Fav Celtic Player:
    All of Em
    Fav Celtic Song:
    YNWA
    *..think you misinterpreted my question Paddy.

    For example:

    Don' you think you've had a bit too much fer tonight, Paddy?

    or

    Don't you think you've had too much for tonight, Paddy?
     
  5. TESLA Gold Member Gold Member

    Joined:
    Dec 20, 2009
    Messages:
    10,843
    Likes Received:
    2,694
    Location:
    Dublin
    Fav Celtic Player:
    Vernon Dursley.
    Fav Celtic Song:
    Fields Of Athenry.
    In the Ross O'Carroll Kelly books he types using slang and how the people actualy sound in quotes ("I'll bleerin reck ye"), its funny and gives the characters more personality so if you can make good use of slang then do, it makes it more interesting.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 4, 2013
  6. Breenzo

    Joined:
    May 16, 2008
    Messages:
    2,728
    Likes Received:
    1
    An area in which I have some experience. My question to you would be: how familiar with Irish vernacular are you? By this, I mean unless you have an absolutely comprehensive feel for it, then you are at risk of undermining your own work. For example, I would only ever consider tackling Glaswegian, because I am not equipped otherwise. However, writing in standard English allows for an implicit understanding on the reader's part. That being said, if you know your Irish and you can pull it off, then great! :50:
     
  7. Seán_67

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2011
    Messages:
    5,940
    Likes Received:
    2
    Location:
    Teenage Wasteland
    Fav Celtic Player:
    Jinky
    Fav Celtic Song:
    Willie Maley
    Writing in the vernacular is stylish, but unless you can do it properly don't include it or it will no doubt look amateurish and maybe quite foolish :50:
     
  8. Mr Cleansheets

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2013
    Messages:
    2,407
    Likes Received:
    2,282
    Much harder than it looks though. A couple years ago I had a book published in Australia which was mostly set in the UK. I used numerous regional/national accents, including Cockney, Lancashire, Scottish, and Belfast (and French). Given all the positive feedback I think I got it pretty much right, but it needs work. I must have spent literally hundreds of hours reading the text aloud to try and get the right nuances, and I only stuck to the dialogue. Irvine Welsh usually writes 1st person POV and includes all of that in his phonetic style.

    Irvine Welsh, of course, is a genius, but some people find his style too hard to read.

    Their loss.
     
  9. Seosamh Máirtín

    Joined:
    Oct 22, 2009
    Messages:
    16,464
    Likes Received:
    636
    Location:
    Purgatory
    I would suggest you read the likes of Roddy Doyle (or someone like him) and take it from there. If you can copy the way he does it to a tee, then you'll be OK.
     
  10. Seán_67

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2011
    Messages:
    5,940
    Likes Received:
    2
    Location:
    Teenage Wasteland
    Fav Celtic Player:
    Jinky
    Fav Celtic Song:
    Willie Maley
    What, pray tell, was the name of this multi-cultural book :50:?

    At first guess I'd have said something to do with the drug world :smiley-laughing002:
     
  11. Armagh-Bhoy

    Joined:
    Jul 25, 2012
    Messages:
    5,939
    Likes Received:
    1
    Location:
    Deep South, South Armagh
    put (fiddly-diddly-deeeeee potato).. after every sentance im sure theyl get the idea he's irish
     
  12. Mr. Slippyfist

    Joined:
    Dec 20, 2009
    Messages:
    5,213
    Likes Received:
    7,333
    Naw, I knew what you meant bud - I said you should write with an accent.

    I also thought I'd throw that question in in case anyone could answer it :icon_mrgreen:
     
  13. Seán_67

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2011
    Messages:
    5,940
    Likes Received:
    2
    Location:
    Teenage Wasteland
    Fav Celtic Player:
    Jinky
    Fav Celtic Song:
    Willie Maley
    To do a fada with our keyboard you hold Alt Gr and press the A :50:
     
  14. RocknRolla67

    Joined:
    Nov 27, 2009
    Messages:
    3,761
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Pride of Lowell
    Fav Celtic Player:
    All of Em
    Fav Celtic Song:
    YNWA
    Thanks for the advice Bhoys.

    And Padmill...I have no idea :56:
     
  15. Mr. Slippyfist

    Joined:
    Dec 20, 2009
    Messages:
    5,213
    Likes Received:
    7,333
    Sorry mate - I don't understand that?

    What is Alt Gr? and does it only work with an a letter?
     
  16. Seán_67

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2011
    Messages:
    5,940
    Likes Received:
    2
    Location:
    Teenage Wasteland
    Fav Celtic Player:
    Jinky
    Fav Celtic Song:
    Willie Maley
    On your keyboard somewhere - on mine it's directly to the right of my spacebar - there is a key with the name "Alt Gr" on it. If you press/hold that in and then press the letters it gives you: á é í ó ú. :50:
     
  17. Lion1961 Bookmaker

    Joined:
    Jul 15, 2011
    Messages:
    24,147
    Likes Received:
    3,985
    Location:
    Glasgow
    Fav Celtic Player:
    Jinky Johnstone
    Fav Celtic Song:
    Fenian Record Player
    Going slightly off topic but the easiest way to insert symbols, foreign letters etc is to use the character map on your computer with copy and paste if you don't know the codes.

    All Programs> Accessories>System Tools>Character Map
     
  18. Mr. Slippyfist

    Joined:
    Dec 20, 2009
    Messages:
    5,213
    Likes Received:
    7,333
    Good man.

    *.....I was hoping I could get it for the letters bcdefg
     
  19. Seán_67

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2011
    Messages:
    5,940
    Likes Received:
    2
    Location:
    Teenage Wasteland
    Fav Celtic Player:
    Jinky
    Fav Celtic Song:
    Willie Maley
    How come?
     
  20. Mr. Slippyfist

    Joined:
    Dec 20, 2009
    Messages:
    5,213
    Likes Received:
    7,333
    For typing out flute notes.