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Rated: E · User Poll · History · #969895
Should foreign characters speak English all the way, or sprinkle in some authentic words?
Poll Question:
If you've read Tai-Pan, you would certainly remember that almost each single character was recognisable by his or her speech alone.

"A pox on his godrotten island, by God. Wot be all the delay, baint he here already?"

vs.

"Dinna fash yoursel', lad. We are na in the Chinese quarters."

vs.

"By Jove, in a manner o' speakin', matey! I be keeper o' the sea."

---

So... you get the picture.

Now imagine a 16-century conquistador speaking.

Which sentence of the three do you find more appealing in a novel written in English? And why?

What's your opinion on 'spicing up' the narrative with the 'authentic' words now and then?


* 'Griego' is the 16-century Spanish version of 'gringo'. It meant 'unintelligible, foreign' and referred to all foreingers, esp. the English.
Poll Options:
      God's blood! One more push, and they will run like beaten puppies.
      Sangre de Dios! One more push, and they will run like beaten puppies.
      Sangre de Dios! One more push, and the griegos will run like beaten puppies.
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Printed from https://writing.com/main/polls/item_id/969895-English-or-Authentic