Guildenstern ([info]guil_solo) wrote in [info]foolish_passion,
@ 2008-01-06 12:34:00
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Entry tags:fan fiction

 Okay - this is, I guess, my introduction post (but don't worry, I do have a question - it's not just me rambling on)
I got the DVD of N&S two days ago (after having read the book five months ago), and, having watched it, am now seized with an uncontrollable desire to write fanfic: specifically an AU - what if the stone had hit Thornton?
My question is this: How the heck do you write a Yorkshire  Lancashire accent? Whenever I try, it always comes out as either far too broad for the character, or totally unreadable.  :(  Anyone got any ideas?


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[info]little_giddy
2008-01-06 01:22 pm UTC (link)
I tend to not write accents altogether, in all honesty. Maybe the odd inflection ('e's ... or tol'/told), but in general I wouldn't couch his speaking in dialect. Partly because even if it's accurate, I find it hard to read, and because by balancing inflections and "said..., the stress causing his accent to thicken" and so on, you can usually make just as effective a character voice.

But this is purely IMHO *blush*

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[info]guil_solo
2008-01-06 02:30 pm UTC (link)
Thanks! Truth be told, it's more for an original story that I was asking - the character in question has a pretty standard rough RP normally, but at one point in the story he is ill, becomes delirious, and starts to speak in his original accent: Yorkshire (not broad, but like Thornton's, hence the question). I realise this isn't exactly on-topic, but it does relate to the N&S stuff I'm writing as well (sort of)...

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[info]little_giddy
2008-01-06 03:02 pm UTC (link)
*grin* No problem - I end up asking the most random stuff while I'm writing, so I think everyone in the world should get to ask stuff too :D

And that sounds really quite fun :)

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[info]guil_solo
2008-01-06 03:14 pm UTC (link)
Glad you're okay with that ;)
It is fun - apart from the fact that I've lost the memory stick that the document is on. In the past ten minutes. So, not fun at the moment. :(
Still, I should be able to find it soon *crosses fingers, touches wood etcetera*

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[info]guil_solo
2008-01-06 07:21 pm UTC (link)
Oh, and an update: I found the memory stick! ;)

I'm thinking of putting up a couple of scenes from my story on my LJ, but I'm not sure whether people would understand it without a HUGE intro post. Still....

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[info]marissa_214
2008-01-06 03:13 pm UTC (link)
Not sure if you are asking about an accent like Thornton's or an accent like the workers in the mill, but either way you could look at the novel for inspiration. It's available for free on Project Gutenberg! If my memory serves, I know all the workers have heavy accents written in the novel, but I don't recall Gaskell writing Thornton with much of one. Maybe a 'nowt here or there.

Good luck with your original fiction and with your fanfic!

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[info]guil_solo
2008-01-06 03:17 pm UTC (link)
It's an accent like Thornton's - I've got the novel, and his isn't written, but I need to make a distinction between my character's normal accent and his real one...
Thanks for the good wishes ;)

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[info]amandajane17
2008-01-07 03:47 pm UTC (link)
It's a Lancashire accent he has babe. But as a mill owner he's 'posher' than the workers will be.

I think you're meaning dialect which can get pretty incomprehensible for example 'Ah'm reet powfagged'. ( I'm very tired). Thornton wouldn't talk like that.

And also this is your story so he can speak how you want him too. It sounds good I look forward to it.

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[info]guil_solo
2008-01-07 03:58 pm UTC (link)
I knew Yorkshire didn't sound right *blushes* You'd think that, being English, I'd understand these things :(
But thanks for the correction ;)

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[info]amandajane17
2008-01-07 08:56 pm UTC (link)
I'm a Lancashire lass myself and we're sensitive about these things he he!

As I said I'm looking forward to your story. Mmmmmmmm LOVELY JT,

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[info]guil_solo
2008-01-07 10:05 pm UTC (link)
I'm Cornish meself (well, Scots and Welsh originally);)

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[info]amandajane17
2008-01-08 08:58 am UTC (link)
ooooh a lovely celtic mixture

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[info]guil_solo
2008-01-08 10:59 am UTC (link)
Only problem is that no-one can spell my name ;)
(You'd think that 'Fiona' wouldn't be that hard...)

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