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Sep 21, 2020 · I had a very similar problem to using slang. In my book, Yeshua (a.k.a. Jesus) has returned from India where he has been from age 12 to age 30. His first encounter with a fellow Israeli is with Yochanan the Baptizer (John the Baptist.) He struggles with his mother tongue, and I needed to have him using stilted speech, grasping for words.
- Dialogue
It’s important for authors to get the nuances of slang in...
- What Should Your Characters Talk About
2. Conversations in a Sequel (Reaction-Oriented) After the...
- Dialogue
Nov 19, 2010 · 0. Using dialect or slang can work very well, but it usually doesn't. (Mark Twain is the only example I can think of where it was done well.) Slang is another matter, with some of the same pitfalls. Having characters using slang and the narrator not, that might be distracting.
Jun 21, 2017 · Part of what makes them stick is brevity in speech, single syllable words that are quick and easy to say (few mouth or tongue movements) slang sticks better than multi-syllabic slang. "Hot" for "sexually attractive" is likely to stick, "Cool" for "interesting, awesome, fascinating" is too. But that isn't a concrete rule by any means.
Jan 4, 2014 · The successful use of colloquial speech in dialogue is a key element of character development. Done right, it can impart a strong sense of realism – of time, of place, of character – to your work. It can draw your readers into the story and help them relate to your characters. Colloquialisms can also be fun as you, the author, are given ...
Aug 13, 2019 · Notice how real this dialogue is, the speech patterns full of idioms, slang, contractions, and declinations. The use of these style elements reinforces the thrust of the side: That George is a man of the people, he knows them, understands their dreams, even to the point of speaking like them, this in stark contrast to the imperious style of Henry Potter.
First, use slang sparingly and purposefully. Each use of slang in your fiction should serve a specific purpose. It may be to create character depth, establish setting, or to enhance dialogue. Resist the urge to overuse slang, as it can become distracting and undermine the narrative. Second, provide context.
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Slang is a specialized form of colloquial expression in that it belongs to a smaller group and often serves the purpose of hiding meaning from the larger population. When slang terms enter the broader lexicon, the group finds new words. This can involve single words and phrases. Perhaps you have a BFF, a slang term for a best friend.
