English words in a non-english sci-fi novel Announcing the arrival of Valued Associate #679: Cesar Manara Planned maintenance scheduled April 17/18, 2019 at 00:00UTC (8:00pm US/Eastern) Announcing our contest results! Tags of the week! April 15-21, 2019: Planning & TranslationHow many different words are in the average novel?How to master literary American English as a second language?Non native writers who learned English lateCan a foreign language novel have English character names?A non-native writing in EnglishNaming non-english folklore creaturesHow does a novel writer explain the meaning of foreign words without giving the English translation?Credibility of using English in non-English-speaking worldsIs it ok to use “aluminium” in an otherwise American English text?Translating non-English lyrics to English
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English words in a non-english sci-fi novel
Announcing the arrival of Valued Associate #679: Cesar Manara
Planned maintenance scheduled April 17/18, 2019 at 00:00UTC (8:00pm US/Eastern)
Announcing our contest results!
Tags of the week! April 15-21, 2019: Planning & TranslationHow many different words are in the average novel?How to master literary American English as a second language?Non native writers who learned English lateCan a foreign language novel have English character names?A non-native writing in EnglishNaming non-english folklore creaturesHow does a novel writer explain the meaning of foreign words without giving the English translation?Credibility of using English in non-English-speaking worldsIs it ok to use “aluminium” in an otherwise American English text?Translating non-English lyrics to English
In the modern world, english is a well-estabilished technical and scientific language. Some terms have become so commonly used that they are accepted in my native tongue (words like "computer", "PC", "network" being examples).
I'm currently writing a science fiction novel in my native language. I deal a lot with themes like networking, artificial intelligence, computing and so on in the novel.
So, when the time comes to create make up words for very specific technologies (let's say, nanomachines), it feels normal to use english-looking words (in the example, nano-mechs).
Considering the science fiction setting, is this acceptable or alienating?
novel science-fiction translation language
add a comment |
In the modern world, english is a well-estabilished technical and scientific language. Some terms have become so commonly used that they are accepted in my native tongue (words like "computer", "PC", "network" being examples).
I'm currently writing a science fiction novel in my native language. I deal a lot with themes like networking, artificial intelligence, computing and so on in the novel.
So, when the time comes to create make up words for very specific technologies (let's say, nanomachines), it feels normal to use english-looking words (in the example, nano-mechs).
Considering the science fiction setting, is this acceptable or alienating?
novel science-fiction translation language
How hard science fiction are you aiming for? What point of view is your story written from?
– a CVn♦
14 hours ago
1
@aCVn It's borderlining space opera. The PoV is a third person limited.
– Liquid
13 hours ago
1
I was in a similar position when I started writing my space opera in German. I decided to go with German terminology (Überlichtgeschwindigkeitsantrieb instead of faster than light drive and such), because, while the English terms are normal for me since I read pretty much only English books, the terms do have German equivalents which are usually preferred in "normal" conversation. Whether my decision was right or wrong I can't say, but it feels better to stick to the language, even if it's sometimes difficult to find an equivalent German word for an English term.
– Morfildur
12 hours ago
DO you mind sharing your native language with us? Certain languages use certain English Loan Words for different reasons.
– hszmv
10 hours ago
@hszmv Actually I do mind a bit, so I'll let you guess.
– Liquid
10 hours ago
add a comment |
In the modern world, english is a well-estabilished technical and scientific language. Some terms have become so commonly used that they are accepted in my native tongue (words like "computer", "PC", "network" being examples).
I'm currently writing a science fiction novel in my native language. I deal a lot with themes like networking, artificial intelligence, computing and so on in the novel.
So, when the time comes to create make up words for very specific technologies (let's say, nanomachines), it feels normal to use english-looking words (in the example, nano-mechs).
Considering the science fiction setting, is this acceptable or alienating?
novel science-fiction translation language
In the modern world, english is a well-estabilished technical and scientific language. Some terms have become so commonly used that they are accepted in my native tongue (words like "computer", "PC", "network" being examples).
I'm currently writing a science fiction novel in my native language. I deal a lot with themes like networking, artificial intelligence, computing and so on in the novel.
So, when the time comes to create make up words for very specific technologies (let's say, nanomachines), it feels normal to use english-looking words (in the example, nano-mechs).
Considering the science fiction setting, is this acceptable or alienating?
novel science-fiction translation language
novel science-fiction translation language
asked 14 hours ago
LiquidLiquid
8,81422074
8,81422074
How hard science fiction are you aiming for? What point of view is your story written from?
– a CVn♦
14 hours ago
1
@aCVn It's borderlining space opera. The PoV is a third person limited.
– Liquid
13 hours ago
1
I was in a similar position when I started writing my space opera in German. I decided to go with German terminology (Überlichtgeschwindigkeitsantrieb instead of faster than light drive and such), because, while the English terms are normal for me since I read pretty much only English books, the terms do have German equivalents which are usually preferred in "normal" conversation. Whether my decision was right or wrong I can't say, but it feels better to stick to the language, even if it's sometimes difficult to find an equivalent German word for an English term.
– Morfildur
12 hours ago
DO you mind sharing your native language with us? Certain languages use certain English Loan Words for different reasons.
– hszmv
10 hours ago
@hszmv Actually I do mind a bit, so I'll let you guess.
– Liquid
10 hours ago
add a comment |
How hard science fiction are you aiming for? What point of view is your story written from?
– a CVn♦
14 hours ago
1
@aCVn It's borderlining space opera. The PoV is a third person limited.
– Liquid
13 hours ago
1
I was in a similar position when I started writing my space opera in German. I decided to go with German terminology (Überlichtgeschwindigkeitsantrieb instead of faster than light drive and such), because, while the English terms are normal for me since I read pretty much only English books, the terms do have German equivalents which are usually preferred in "normal" conversation. Whether my decision was right or wrong I can't say, but it feels better to stick to the language, even if it's sometimes difficult to find an equivalent German word for an English term.
– Morfildur
12 hours ago
DO you mind sharing your native language with us? Certain languages use certain English Loan Words for different reasons.
– hszmv
10 hours ago
@hszmv Actually I do mind a bit, so I'll let you guess.
– Liquid
10 hours ago
How hard science fiction are you aiming for? What point of view is your story written from?
– a CVn♦
14 hours ago
How hard science fiction are you aiming for? What point of view is your story written from?
– a CVn♦
14 hours ago
1
1
@aCVn It's borderlining space opera. The PoV is a third person limited.
– Liquid
13 hours ago
@aCVn It's borderlining space opera. The PoV is a third person limited.
– Liquid
13 hours ago
1
1
I was in a similar position when I started writing my space opera in German. I decided to go with German terminology (Überlichtgeschwindigkeitsantrieb instead of faster than light drive and such), because, while the English terms are normal for me since I read pretty much only English books, the terms do have German equivalents which are usually preferred in "normal" conversation. Whether my decision was right or wrong I can't say, but it feels better to stick to the language, even if it's sometimes difficult to find an equivalent German word for an English term.
– Morfildur
12 hours ago
I was in a similar position when I started writing my space opera in German. I decided to go with German terminology (Überlichtgeschwindigkeitsantrieb instead of faster than light drive and such), because, while the English terms are normal for me since I read pretty much only English books, the terms do have German equivalents which are usually preferred in "normal" conversation. Whether my decision was right or wrong I can't say, but it feels better to stick to the language, even if it's sometimes difficult to find an equivalent German word for an English term.
– Morfildur
12 hours ago
DO you mind sharing your native language with us? Certain languages use certain English Loan Words for different reasons.
– hszmv
10 hours ago
DO you mind sharing your native language with us? Certain languages use certain English Loan Words for different reasons.
– hszmv
10 hours ago
@hszmv Actually I do mind a bit, so I'll let you guess.
– Liquid
10 hours ago
@hszmv Actually I do mind a bit, so I'll let you guess.
– Liquid
10 hours ago
add a comment |
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
I think it is important to write what your intended readers will easily understand. If you are a native speaker and inclined toward English-sounding words; they are probably inclined to understand that perfectly, so go ahead.
Otherwise, using your native language, you create a cognitive dissonance; namely how did YOUR language come to be the one used for such a technology, when everywhere in the world, English is the default language for technology, for academic papers, for engineering, etc.
Use what will probably be used; and if you don't, write a brief explanation for how some other language came to be used.
add a comment |
Seems totally fine to me. However, what really matters is your actual audience. This sounds like a case where maybe the best approach is to go ahead, write what seems best to you, without worrying too much about it--but then seek the responses of a sufficient number of representative beta readers. Even if you could very convincingly argue what the "right" approach is, what would it matter if the result sounded bad to the ears of your intended audience? (I remember this issue being discussed in the writing excuses podcast; if you search for "beta readers" you'll probably find several useful episodes.)
New contributor
add a comment |
Is your novel set in future?
Generally speaking, yes. It is both reasonable and safe to assume that English will continue to serve as a primary language of scientific and engineering community. Thus, most new terms would be based on English.
Even though this may turn out to be false, selecting a different language is a controversial decision. For example, you may supplant English by Mandarin Chinese, but that would make your novel to stand out. While it may be received well in China, international success would be harder to achieve.
Supplanting English with your native language may also depend on how books are usually translated. It is easier if translators to your language have a tradition of replacing English terms with local equivalents, and harder if the tradition is to keep those terms verbatim.
I see your point. To clarify, it's a future so distant that "current" languages would be changed to the point of being difficult to recognize.
– Liquid
6 hours ago
add a comment |
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3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
I think it is important to write what your intended readers will easily understand. If you are a native speaker and inclined toward English-sounding words; they are probably inclined to understand that perfectly, so go ahead.
Otherwise, using your native language, you create a cognitive dissonance; namely how did YOUR language come to be the one used for such a technology, when everywhere in the world, English is the default language for technology, for academic papers, for engineering, etc.
Use what will probably be used; and if you don't, write a brief explanation for how some other language came to be used.
add a comment |
I think it is important to write what your intended readers will easily understand. If you are a native speaker and inclined toward English-sounding words; they are probably inclined to understand that perfectly, so go ahead.
Otherwise, using your native language, you create a cognitive dissonance; namely how did YOUR language come to be the one used for such a technology, when everywhere in the world, English is the default language for technology, for academic papers, for engineering, etc.
Use what will probably be used; and if you don't, write a brief explanation for how some other language came to be used.
add a comment |
I think it is important to write what your intended readers will easily understand. If you are a native speaker and inclined toward English-sounding words; they are probably inclined to understand that perfectly, so go ahead.
Otherwise, using your native language, you create a cognitive dissonance; namely how did YOUR language come to be the one used for such a technology, when everywhere in the world, English is the default language for technology, for academic papers, for engineering, etc.
Use what will probably be used; and if you don't, write a brief explanation for how some other language came to be used.
I think it is important to write what your intended readers will easily understand. If you are a native speaker and inclined toward English-sounding words; they are probably inclined to understand that perfectly, so go ahead.
Otherwise, using your native language, you create a cognitive dissonance; namely how did YOUR language come to be the one used for such a technology, when everywhere in the world, English is the default language for technology, for academic papers, for engineering, etc.
Use what will probably be used; and if you don't, write a brief explanation for how some other language came to be used.
answered 12 hours ago
AmadeusAmadeus
59.4k677188
59.4k677188
add a comment |
add a comment |
Seems totally fine to me. However, what really matters is your actual audience. This sounds like a case where maybe the best approach is to go ahead, write what seems best to you, without worrying too much about it--but then seek the responses of a sufficient number of representative beta readers. Even if you could very convincingly argue what the "right" approach is, what would it matter if the result sounded bad to the ears of your intended audience? (I remember this issue being discussed in the writing excuses podcast; if you search for "beta readers" you'll probably find several useful episodes.)
New contributor
add a comment |
Seems totally fine to me. However, what really matters is your actual audience. This sounds like a case where maybe the best approach is to go ahead, write what seems best to you, without worrying too much about it--but then seek the responses of a sufficient number of representative beta readers. Even if you could very convincingly argue what the "right" approach is, what would it matter if the result sounded bad to the ears of your intended audience? (I remember this issue being discussed in the writing excuses podcast; if you search for "beta readers" you'll probably find several useful episodes.)
New contributor
add a comment |
Seems totally fine to me. However, what really matters is your actual audience. This sounds like a case where maybe the best approach is to go ahead, write what seems best to you, without worrying too much about it--but then seek the responses of a sufficient number of representative beta readers. Even if you could very convincingly argue what the "right" approach is, what would it matter if the result sounded bad to the ears of your intended audience? (I remember this issue being discussed in the writing excuses podcast; if you search for "beta readers" you'll probably find several useful episodes.)
New contributor
Seems totally fine to me. However, what really matters is your actual audience. This sounds like a case where maybe the best approach is to go ahead, write what seems best to you, without worrying too much about it--but then seek the responses of a sufficient number of representative beta readers. Even if you could very convincingly argue what the "right" approach is, what would it matter if the result sounded bad to the ears of your intended audience? (I remember this issue being discussed in the writing excuses podcast; if you search for "beta readers" you'll probably find several useful episodes.)
New contributor
New contributor
answered 14 hours ago
sesquipedaliassesquipedalias
1533
1533
New contributor
New contributor
add a comment |
add a comment |
Is your novel set in future?
Generally speaking, yes. It is both reasonable and safe to assume that English will continue to serve as a primary language of scientific and engineering community. Thus, most new terms would be based on English.
Even though this may turn out to be false, selecting a different language is a controversial decision. For example, you may supplant English by Mandarin Chinese, but that would make your novel to stand out. While it may be received well in China, international success would be harder to achieve.
Supplanting English with your native language may also depend on how books are usually translated. It is easier if translators to your language have a tradition of replacing English terms with local equivalents, and harder if the tradition is to keep those terms verbatim.
I see your point. To clarify, it's a future so distant that "current" languages would be changed to the point of being difficult to recognize.
– Liquid
6 hours ago
add a comment |
Is your novel set in future?
Generally speaking, yes. It is both reasonable and safe to assume that English will continue to serve as a primary language of scientific and engineering community. Thus, most new terms would be based on English.
Even though this may turn out to be false, selecting a different language is a controversial decision. For example, you may supplant English by Mandarin Chinese, but that would make your novel to stand out. While it may be received well in China, international success would be harder to achieve.
Supplanting English with your native language may also depend on how books are usually translated. It is easier if translators to your language have a tradition of replacing English terms with local equivalents, and harder if the tradition is to keep those terms verbatim.
I see your point. To clarify, it's a future so distant that "current" languages would be changed to the point of being difficult to recognize.
– Liquid
6 hours ago
add a comment |
Is your novel set in future?
Generally speaking, yes. It is both reasonable and safe to assume that English will continue to serve as a primary language of scientific and engineering community. Thus, most new terms would be based on English.
Even though this may turn out to be false, selecting a different language is a controversial decision. For example, you may supplant English by Mandarin Chinese, but that would make your novel to stand out. While it may be received well in China, international success would be harder to achieve.
Supplanting English with your native language may also depend on how books are usually translated. It is easier if translators to your language have a tradition of replacing English terms with local equivalents, and harder if the tradition is to keep those terms verbatim.
Is your novel set in future?
Generally speaking, yes. It is both reasonable and safe to assume that English will continue to serve as a primary language of scientific and engineering community. Thus, most new terms would be based on English.
Even though this may turn out to be false, selecting a different language is a controversial decision. For example, you may supplant English by Mandarin Chinese, but that would make your novel to stand out. While it may be received well in China, international success would be harder to achieve.
Supplanting English with your native language may also depend on how books are usually translated. It is easier if translators to your language have a tradition of replacing English terms with local equivalents, and harder if the tradition is to keep those terms verbatim.
answered 6 hours ago
AlexanderAlexander
3,700413
3,700413
I see your point. To clarify, it's a future so distant that "current" languages would be changed to the point of being difficult to recognize.
– Liquid
6 hours ago
add a comment |
I see your point. To clarify, it's a future so distant that "current" languages would be changed to the point of being difficult to recognize.
– Liquid
6 hours ago
I see your point. To clarify, it's a future so distant that "current" languages would be changed to the point of being difficult to recognize.
– Liquid
6 hours ago
I see your point. To clarify, it's a future so distant that "current" languages would be changed to the point of being difficult to recognize.
– Liquid
6 hours ago
add a comment |
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-language, novel, science-fiction, translation
How hard science fiction are you aiming for? What point of view is your story written from?
– a CVn♦
14 hours ago
1
@aCVn It's borderlining space opera. The PoV is a third person limited.
– Liquid
13 hours ago
1
I was in a similar position when I started writing my space opera in German. I decided to go with German terminology (Überlichtgeschwindigkeitsantrieb instead of faster than light drive and such), because, while the English terms are normal for me since I read pretty much only English books, the terms do have German equivalents which are usually preferred in "normal" conversation. Whether my decision was right or wrong I can't say, but it feels better to stick to the language, even if it's sometimes difficult to find an equivalent German word for an English term.
– Morfildur
12 hours ago
DO you mind sharing your native language with us? Certain languages use certain English Loan Words for different reasons.
– hszmv
10 hours ago
@hszmv Actually I do mind a bit, so I'll let you guess.
– Liquid
10 hours ago