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Language and Dialect: How Local Speech Patterns Contribute to Authentic Dialogue
Language is the most effective key to communication. However, different people speak even the same language differently. The verbal communication among people from similar communities living in different geographical locations might differ. This difference in language can be referred to as dialects. Within dialect, thus, levels of social, regional, demographical, class, education, and cultural aspects are reflected. For example, Americans have a dialect that has been passed down through generations. Still, there are noticeable differences in the dialects of immigrants who come from different parts of the world. In fact, in most English-speaking countries, different areas and communities have their unique English dialects.
When creating a character sketch, one's accent and dialect can be powerful tools for authenticity and to give the character a sense of existence. A person's dialect, which is affected by their local accent, can reveal important information about their history. To make characters seem more realistic, sometimes the phonetic pronunciation needs to change. These differences in dialect are due to variations in pronunciation, syntax, diction, and grammar. Dialect can provide readers with a more transparent view of a character's imaginative dimension, allowing them to create a more robust framework and become more engaged with the story. It provides a better insight into the character's mind, giving it more depth and intensity and leaving a lasting impression on the reader.
While it's important for writers to capture the nuances of different accents and dialects, it's also important to consider the impact of doing so on the reader's experience. When a writer attempts to represent accents through misspellings and distorted words, it can sometimes distract the reader from the story and reduce their interest in it. This can make it difficult for the reader to follow the narrative and detract from their overall enjoyment of the book. Therefore, authors need to find a balance between accurately representing dialects and ensuring that the reader can fully engage with the story. By doing so, they can create a more immersive and enjoyable reading experience for their audience.
For instance, these lines from "Lest We Forget" by Linda McClung illustrate the aforementioned lines in an example:
"He said the words over us. We drank from the wedding cup, and he handed us papers. We signed, and I noticed Joe used a different name than I remembered. He signed "Joseph Arrington."
"Joe, you spelled it wrong."
"No, that's ma' name. Arrnton."
"You wrote Arrington."
"That's what ah said." He chuckled.
I had misunderstood his accent and believed his name was Arnton. Now, I had to get used to his real name, Arrington."
In this example, the writer uses dialect to create an alternative image in the other character's mind, as well as in the minds of the audience. However, it's essential to maintain a balance between the amount of misspellings introduced and whether it's necessary in the given scenario in the first place. Despite this, regional accents and dialects are undoubtedly crucial to writing a story that accurately portrays the characters and the world they inhabit. So, instead of avoiding them altogether or overusing them, writers should focus on using them effectively.
Citations:
Arlene Prunkl. Dialogues in fiction: Part 1- How to write authentic dialects and foreign accents. Dialogue in fiction: Part I – How to write authentic dialects and foreign accents - PenUltimate Editorial Services (penultimateword.com)
Gaelle Planchenault. Doing dialects in dialogues: Regional, social and ethnic variation in fiction. (PDF) 9. Doing dialects in dialogues: Regional, social and ethnic variation in fiction (researchgate.net)
Language, Dialect And Register Sociolinguistic Perspective
(PDF) Language, Dialect And Register Sociolinguistic Perspective (researchgate.net)
Written by Readers’ Favorite Reviewer Manik Chaturmutha