Second Language - Tumblr Posts
writing tips pt idk - swearing in a second language.
ok ok ok. here's the thing - i am by no means asking you to learn the language you wanna use for the character. that is way too much work and makes no friggin sense. I totally understand using google translate.
but.
There are some linguistic differences that you need to be sooooooo aware of when you write in that language.
The mistake i see the most is swearing. profanity.
profanity is not universal. 'fuck' in one language does not always mean the same thing as it does in English/your language.
keep in mind, when you use google translate, it translates it literally. the literal translation of 'fuck' is sexual intercourse. so the word you get will mean 'sex.'
Also - some words are taboo in different cultures. In Australia/Britain, 'cunt' is used liberally and doesn't mean anything terrible. If you used 'cunt' casually in America, it would cause a huge scene. So, don't assume that 'fuck, shit, damn' all work the same across languages.
I'm not asking you to do a huge research project, but look up 'common swears in [x] language' or 'surprised phrases in [x] language'.
Especially because your readers might actually know the language you're writing in. I know firsthand how irritating it is to read something so incorrect it's offensive. Seriously, if you don't pay attention to the consequences of your phrasing, you might offend someone. I know you can't please everybody, but this isn't that hard to fix.
I speak Russian as my first language (I apologize for the country's actions, I feel no affiliations towards Russia and Putin is a disgusting pig) and insulting someone's mother is a huge offense. Massive. In English, it can be a casual joke. Never in Russian. "son of a bitch" will get you stabbed. I'm serious.
English is pretty unique in the casual way swear words are used. Most of the time, there are substitute words used for a joke, and the real deal is only uttered in dire circumstances. (like 'frick' versus 'fuck'.) Assuming all languages will react the same way is not true.
again - don't devote your life to learning the language, but put in the work to make your writing authentic. offending someone because you were slacking isn't cool.
Swearing is pretty important. Pay attention, give it a little bit of effort.
xox love you, keep writing
Really... Sometimes I really want to put some character analysis here, but then I remember that I have to struggle with the English language and I get stressed before I can actually do it.
So I prefer to get practice with my fanfictions...
Trying to relearn my first language and I want to crack my head on a rock
Damirae fanfiction
I work in a Damirae fanfiction but english is not my first language and it scares me
And there was him, laughing. Lighting up the whole room as he always did. When he was near me I would always feel like my heart is finally at peace, so much like bathing in the sun on a warm mid-July afternoon as the breeze gently blows.
And then there was the smile. The smile he gave everyone on this planet, the smile that always reminds me I will never be someone who is more than this. But it was beautiful as always, brutally beautiful if I dare say. It really is.
“Hey” He greeted first.
“Hey…” Words slipped out of my mind as soon as I open my mouth. “I can see you did good job on concealing that bushy brows”. Shouldn’t have said that.
He raises his drawn thin eyebrows. “I didn’t think you’d recognize me right away. I thought I did pretty good job on this time’s theatrical make up.” I could see him blushing underneath the thick ghostly white face paint, his ears were basically on fire. I couldn’t help but basically chuckle secretly.
Of course I’d recognize you. You are always lingering inside me, you are always wandering around my mind. Even if I forget all the beautiful things that are left in the world, I would still remember your face, your eyes, your voice.
This pain, that is either longing or nostalgia will definitely never reach you.
I’m leaving tomorrow.
I fckin love it when my american/uk homies say "oh, u r russian, teach me some cursed words pls🙏" and then just see "ь" in the word "blyat' " and their reaction is always "what the actual fuck".