The word of the day is vernacular (noun): an expression or mode of expression that occurs in ordinary speech rather than formal writing. - Merriam Webster
When writing historical fiction or otherwise, how much local jargon or vernacular should one include in the dialogue? Then again, how should the wording be spelled? These are two very important questions to be asked by any writer. Vernacular can be overdone like putting too much salt in a dish. Too much colloquialism can frustrate the reader to the point of actually putting the book down. Whereas, just enough of this flavored speech in dialogue provides the perfect amount of spice with an aroma that will draw the reader to linger about your kitchen of enticing syntax even longer.
"I'm fixin' to," she said.
"Well, I ain't waitin' around forever," he replied.
Vernacular can be overdone, however. Especially in the writing of it. Depending upon who your audience is will determine individual likes and dislikes. Yet, if you want to attract an international audience, you can't please everybody. The difficulty comes in when the writer approximates pronunciation by using alternative spelling and apostrophes. This makes the text difficult to read, not to mention phonetically incorrect. Some writers suggest that it is best to spell the words correctly and allow the reader to imprint upon the vocabulary and syntax. If the vernacular makes the book difficult to read, most people simply won't read it.
"I'm fixing to," she said.
"Well, I ain't waiting around forever," he replied.
In reading the above sentences aloud without the incorrect phonetic accents, please note that the g in the ing endings are automatically dropped anyway. Therefore, is it really necessary to risk loosing your reader for the sake of vernacular?
When writing historical fiction or otherwise, how much local jargon or vernacular should one include in the dialogue? Then again, how should the wording be spelled? These are two very important questions to be asked by any writer. Vernacular can be overdone like putting too much salt in a dish. Too much colloquialism can frustrate the reader to the point of actually putting the book down. Whereas, just enough of this flavored speech in dialogue provides the perfect amount of spice with an aroma that will draw the reader to linger about your kitchen of enticing syntax even longer.
"I'm fixin' to," she said.
"Well, I ain't waitin' around forever," he replied.
Vernacular can be overdone, however. Especially in the writing of it. Depending upon who your audience is will determine individual likes and dislikes. Yet, if you want to attract an international audience, you can't please everybody. The difficulty comes in when the writer approximates pronunciation by using alternative spelling and apostrophes. This makes the text difficult to read, not to mention phonetically incorrect. Some writers suggest that it is best to spell the words correctly and allow the reader to imprint upon the vocabulary and syntax. If the vernacular makes the book difficult to read, most people simply won't read it.
"I'm fixing to," she said.
"Well, I ain't waiting around forever," he replied.
In reading the above sentences aloud without the incorrect phonetic accents, please note that the g in the ing endings are automatically dropped anyway. Therefore, is it really necessary to risk loosing your reader for the sake of vernacular?
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