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










10















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?










share|improve this question






















  • 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















10















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?










share|improve this question






















  • 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













10












10








10








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?










share|improve this question














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






share|improve this question













share|improve this question











share|improve this question




share|improve this question










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

















  • 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










3 Answers
3






active

oldest

votes


















8














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.






share|improve this answer






























    5














    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.)






    share|improve this answer








    New contributor




    sesquipedalias is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
    Check out our Code of Conduct.



























      1














      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.






      share|improve this answer























      • 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











      Your Answer








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      3 Answers
      3






      active

      oldest

      votes








      3 Answers
      3






      active

      oldest

      votes









      active

      oldest

      votes






      active

      oldest

      votes









      8














      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.






      share|improve this answer



























        8














        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.






        share|improve this answer

























          8












          8








          8







          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.






          share|improve this answer













          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.







          share|improve this answer












          share|improve this answer



          share|improve this answer










          answered 12 hours ago









          AmadeusAmadeus

          59.4k677188




          59.4k677188





















              5














              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.)






              share|improve this answer








              New contributor




              sesquipedalias is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
              Check out our Code of Conduct.
























                5














                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.)






                share|improve this answer








                New contributor




                sesquipedalias is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                Check out our Code of Conduct.






















                  5












                  5








                  5







                  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.)






                  share|improve this answer








                  New contributor




                  sesquipedalias is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                  Check out our Code of Conduct.










                  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.)







                  share|improve this answer








                  New contributor




                  sesquipedalias is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                  Check out our Code of Conduct.









                  share|improve this answer



                  share|improve this answer






                  New contributor




                  sesquipedalias is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                  Check out our Code of Conduct.









                  answered 14 hours ago









                  sesquipedaliassesquipedalias

                  1533




                  1533




                  New contributor




                  sesquipedalias is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                  Check out our Code of Conduct.





                  New contributor





                  sesquipedalias is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                  Check out our Code of Conduct.






                  sesquipedalias is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                  Check out our Code of Conduct.





















                      1














                      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.






                      share|improve this answer























                      • 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















                      1














                      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.






                      share|improve this answer























                      • 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













                      1












                      1








                      1







                      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.






                      share|improve this answer













                      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.







                      share|improve this answer












                      share|improve this answer



                      share|improve this answer










                      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

















                      • 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

















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