Hello fellow writers I have an interesting question and I would love to hear your thoughts and experiences on this. (and yes you may see this in a few other groups. I want lots of discussion.)
I have a script I am writing that takes place in Jamaica. The protagonist (like myself) is Jamaican by birth but does not speak with an accent or use any Patois. Most of the other characters are local. I am wrestling with how much Patois and local slang to try to incorporate.
I am pitching it to very (ahem) American producer, for a very American channel. My thought is that I don't this producer or any people he takes it upstairs to, spending time going "huh? What does this mean?" I figure get past the first round of gatekeepers and get interest in the overall tone of my writing. As we go through revisions it can get more local. So as of now my Jamaicans sound Joe Americans
So the question for everyone out there is what has been your take in general when it comes to writing with a certain tongue, locale or dialect in mind and wanting to make it sound authentic VERSUS wanting it to be simple and readable for someone you are submitting to?
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I do a lot of research and rewriting to make sure my character's dialogue is authentic, but I think it's more important for the dialogue to be simple and readable, Wayne Hazle. I remember reading a script and wasn't able to understand what the character was saying at all. It took me out of the story. I think it's really about balance (being authentic and being simple and readable).
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I write under the character in parenthasis the language or dialect and write it in normal English for those reading the script.
JAMAICAN NAME
(broken Jamaican English)
What are you doing here?