Creating Dialect for Characters
Creating Dialect for Characters
When adrian mckinty writes about characters from different parts of the world, he hints at the accent and may throw in one or two phrases of dialect. He believes there are around 25 different Irish accents.
Many of his characters are from Northern Ireland, especially in the Sean Duffy series, and he reckons there are 9 different Ulster/northern Irish accents that are quite distinctive: Derry, West Belfast, Camp West Belfast (Julian Simmons), North Belfast, South Belfast/North Down (the posh BBC accent), Ballymena, Newry, Tyrone/Fermanagh.
Here's the thing, he never lets the dialect get in the way of the story. Mention the accent, throw in one or two distinct phrases, and then move the story forward.
Dialect and unique speech patterns can be particularly troublesome for historical fiction writers. Remember your readers live in the present day. A few hints and a light smattering of archaic phrases, like a pet phrase of the protagonist, is all it takes.
If you've seen my compilation of Five Historical Novels You've Probably Never Read BookHip.com/MDDZNX you'll know that Adrian McKinty's The Cold, Cold Ground is one of the five. Witty, dark, action packed, set in Ireland at the time of the Troubles, nothing in the story is held back by dialect and there are many as the protagonist struggles with his personal demons as he solves a crime.
Enjoy the Irish accents video as Richie Stevens interprets 15 and only one is from the Northern Ireland. (Parental discretion advised.)
Then, get on with your story.
When adrian mckinty writes about characters from different parts of the world, he hints at the accent and may throw in one or two phrases of dialect. He believes there are around 25 different Irish accents.
Many of his characters are from Northern Ireland, especially in the Sean Duffy series, and he reckons there are 9 different Ulster/northern Irish accents that are quite distinctive: Derry, West Belfast, Camp West Belfast (Julian Simmons), North Belfast, South Belfast/North Down (the posh BBC accent), Ballymena, Newry, Tyrone/Fermanagh.
Here's the thing, he never lets the dialect get in the way of the story. Mention the accent, throw in one or two distinct phrases, and then move the story forward.
Dialect and unique speech patterns can be particularly troublesome for historical fiction writers. Remember your readers live in the present day. A few hints and a light smattering of archaic phrases, like a pet phrase of the protagonist, is all it takes.
If you've seen my compilation of Five Historical Novels You've Probably Never Read BookHip.com/MDDZNX you'll know that Adrian McKinty's The Cold, Cold Ground is one of the five. Witty, dark, action packed, set in Ireland at the time of the Troubles, nothing in the story is held back by dialect and there are many as the protagonist struggles with his personal demons as he solves a crime.
Enjoy the Irish accents video as Richie Stevens interprets 15 and only one is from the Northern Ireland. (Parental discretion advised.)
Then, get on with your story.
Really need to be more productive with your time.
ReplyDeleteTrying to write dialect for a family who live in a small rural village in County Derry. Difficult. Lots of resources/books available which are finally proving to be of some help.
ReplyDeleteGeorge Forsythe :)
ReplyDeleteJustine McGrath Keep it light. Any of the Sean Duffy novels are great illustrations of a sense If Irishness that is readable.
ReplyDeleteThanks Zara. That is v.helpful.
ReplyDeleteJustine McGrath You are welcome. It's a tough challenge.
ReplyDelete