Just throwing this out there - Page 2

Fifthfiend · 07-05-2008, 08:16 PM

Yeah accents are a bitch in that if you go too far then you're yanking someone out of the story every time they have to stop and figure out what in the hell anybody is saying. So it's probably best to err on the side of caution.

I always think Terry Pratchett does a good job with this in that he'll use just enough touches of accent to get the sound of the thing into your imagination without it being overbearing. But sometimes it's not quite enough to get the job done and then the whole thing just feels off.

I think 90% of what actually matters in that regard is just getting down the right verbal rhythm, when a writer nails that it isn't really necessary for them to dick around misspelling words.

But you know what you should totally do is look up 1920s/30s slang and have Robo use it. Or like random mixes of slangs from the eras he's lived in.

The one related work I'm familiar with is The Big Con which I don't know if you've read it but if you haven't then oh my god, do.

Kurosen · 07-05-2008, 08:57 PM

Robo has dropped a few '20s and '30s slang items. The one that jumps immediately to mind is when he says "Oh, applesauce" when the first giant ant turns its attention to him. Also, he calls a Japanese Zero a "meatball" in a flashback in the same issue. The fear was in overdoing it. Period inappropriate lingo is one of those quirks that can go straight from a subtle touch to OH DEAR GOD SHUT YOUR CUTESY-TALKIN' TRAP ALREADY. Unless you're Mr. Burns, because then it's wonderful every time.

Mashirosen · 07-05-2008, 09:05 PM

Bosh! And flimshaw!

Fifthfiend · 07-05-2008, 09:34 PM

Cool it out you fly-gees, or I will forty-odds you for a pair of deemers!

Kurosen · 07-05-2008, 10:09 PM

Yer both askin' for some chin music.

shiney · 07-05-2008, 10:26 PM

Hogwash. Balderdash, even.

Fifthfiend · 07-06-2008, 02:24 AM

...

And Shiney killed it.

PraetorZorak · 07-15-2008, 05:06 PM

My gast was flabbered.

07-05-2008, 08:16 PM	#11
Fifthfiend for all seasons Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 19,409	Yeah accents are a bitch in that if you go too far then you're yanking someone out of the story every time they have to stop and figure out what in the hell anybody is saying. So it's probably best to err on the side of caution. I always think Terry Pratchett does a good job with this in that he'll use just enough touches of accent to get the sound of the thing into your imagination without it being overbearing. But sometimes it's not quite enough to get the job done and then the whole thing just feels off. I think 90% of what actually matters in that regard is just getting down the right verbal rhythm, when a writer nails that it isn't really necessary for them to dick around misspelling words. But you know what you should totally do is look up 1920s/30s slang and have Robo use it. Or like random mixes of slangs from the eras he's lived in. The one related work I'm familiar with is The Big Con which I don't know if you've read it but if you haven't then oh my god, do. __________________ check out my buttspresso

07-05-2008, 09:05 PM	#13
Mashirosen Watch closely! Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Imaginary tomorrowland Posts: 1,855	Bosh! And flimshaw! __________________ "Remember how we all thought the Jedi were, well, Space Knights of the Round Table? Well, as it turns out, they're a bunch of self-righteous virgins who kidnap kids to replenish their numbers."

07-05-2008, 09:34 PM	#14
Fifthfiend for all seasons Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 19,409	Cool it out you fly-gees, or I will forty-odds you for a pair of deemers! __________________ check out my buttspresso

07-05-2008, 10:26 PM	#16
shiney Derrrrrrrrrrrrrp. Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: The land of fartz and buttz Posts: 8,266	Hogwash. Balderdash, even. __________________ boop

07-06-2008, 02:24 AM	#17
Fifthfiend for all seasons Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 19,409	... And Shiney killed it. __________________ check out my buttspresso

07-15-2008, 05:06 PM	#18
PraetorZorak Locust of the Apocalypse Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Erie, PA Posts: 339	My gast was flabbered. __________________ Evil Snickers = The Dark Chocolate :stressed: Proud member of The NuklearPower Advice Task Force. The Rise and Fall of Ronald McDonald