Blogger: Etta Wilson
Location: Books & Such Nashville Office
Weather: Hot and rainy
The subliminal thinking behind my posts about non-English words being more in use is the oil spill in the Gulf. On a personal level, the white sand beaches of Gulf Shores are a favorite vacation spot, and here in Nashville, we enjoy lots of fresh Gulf seafood on our menus. I had hardly thought about the number of oil rigs sitting in that body of water–until about two months ago, that is. Aside from the consuming questions of responsibility and recovery time and the dreadful impact on wildlife, I notice how language has been misused or misunderstood in the process of hand-wringing and backtracking.
Last week’s gaffe from BP’s chair Carl-Henric Svanberg about helping the “small people” in the Gulf area is an example of someone from a different culture speaking in a language other than his native one and not quite getting it right. Was this a bit of European aristocratic viewpoint or was it a lack of understanding of syntax or was it insufficient vocabulary on Mr. Svanberg’s part? He’s a Swede, which is interesting in itself since BP is a British company–or at least it was.
After several days of encouraging all of us who write to think about enlarging our vocabularies with non-English words, I have to throw up two signs of caution: Use a reliable dictionary frequently and know your audience! That’s not to say we shouldn’t challenge our readers or make our characters more interesting with specifics about their cultural background and language. I’m simply preaching precision mixed with variety. So, for example, if you’re writing nonfiction about the role of B-29 planes, or you’re creating a murder mystery set in Texas, work to get the language right. Most experienced writers have a particular group in mind when they write, and some read their work aloud as they are crafting it.
Who are you talking to? How can you make your conversation with your readers richer and fuller through the words you use?
Excellent point. I’m sure this is one of the major advantages to writing what you know–the vocabulary is already there.
This conversation makes me remember my newlywed days when military hubby used jargon and “alphabet soup” acronyms that were foreign words to me. When we write in the language of our target group, any tips for using terms in such a way that we don’t totally lose readers who might NOT be in that market segment?
Thanks for the interesting topics and I agree with everything you’ve said.
Since you’ve talked about using words from other languages, I’m curious. When did the French word, “frisson,” become a gotta-have-it word in novels? It seems to crop up in so many works of fiction, no matter what the setting.
At first I concluded it must be the authors’ attempt to, I don’t know, add sophistication to their writing. I looked it up, of course. Then I started to chuckle as this word cropped up again and again. Now it sounds tired to me, like a cliche.
Do you have a list of words you flag?
I live by a principle I read in the beginning of my writing career, even though I don’t remember who said it: “Never use a five-dollar word when a nickel word will do.”
So I wonder if that truth still holds. How do you as an agent first respond when you read a well-written manuscript, particularly nonfiction, that showcases this plain-English style?
Lenora, there are several points to evaluate in judging a manuscript. You’ve covered the most important one–is it well-written. I don’t look for “five-dollar” words, but I do look for deep thinking, imagery and unusual but clear ways of saying things.
I follow a few international authors on Twitter just to enjoy their slang! It’s fun interpreting the meanings: “Trackies” equals track suits. “Hols” equals holiday. And then there are the exclamations like “Crikey.” Makes me smile every time!
Jill, these sound like British twitterers to me. I hadn’t thought of “crikey” in a long time. I’m sure someone soon will start analyzing and writing about the effect of Twitter on the language we speak and write.
As usual, Etta, you’re right on target! Loved your comment about “crikey.” Having a publisher in England, I am enjoying her e-mails. Today she told me that the view from her new home is “smashing!”
In addition to making sure the language is a good fit for your ms and audience, I think we need to take care not to overuse words as we write. I can not tell you how many times I have heard the word “literally” used incorrectly in the past few months, not only by teens but by well-known reporters who should know better! Just because a word is suddenly being tossed around is no reason to toss it into your own writing. In fact, it’s a good reason to steer clear of that sort of misuse.
Finally, you brought up the Gulf Oil Disaster. One way to use language, poetry in particular, for a good cause is to contribute poems to http://poetsforlivingwaters.com. Check them out.