Writing from a different language/culture than the characters
How do you imagine what goes on inside a Mountie's head? Or how do you get inside the mind of a Chicago Flatfoot with experimental hair style? Or even worse, how do you even begin to write Diefenbaker, when your native language isn't Wolf, let alone English?
Let's start off easy: Hello, my penname is Ximeria, to many people simply known as 'Xim'. I'm here to ponder a topic that should have made me run for the hills back in 2001 when I first started writing fanfic.
See, I was born, and I still live, in a small country in Scandinavia (Denmark for those who are geography nerds or simply curious). For those who don't know, the language here is Danish, not English. Location wise, we're half-way around the globe from Chicago (give or take a bit).
So, what am I yammering about? Let's just say there are a few things that can seriously pull the writing experience to a grinding halt.
SIZE (it does matter, don't let them tell you otherwise...)
Everything here is small. This means one obstacle in writing a setting in a city like Chicago, USA, is the SIZE issue (not THAT size, please, I know it's fun down here in the gutter, but let's keep this at a certain level, eh?). I meant the size of the city, the buildings... everything, really.
CULTURE (a pesky thing, but getting it wrong can ruin any story)
This is Western Europe, but it's NOT the same culture as the US (sometimes we forget, until we try to write fanfic, that is).
LANGUAGE (we should all have a little yellow fish in our ear...)
So, how should it be treated? Is it a barrier or a dirty advantage?
THE HOLY GRAIL (or maybe just a few pieces of advice I've picked up over time)
How to best work your way around aforementioned problems.
Size
aka. Think BIG.
Simple everyday things are not the same. When I think supermarket, I have these smaller local supermarkets. They're pretty small but they fulfill my needs. When I think mal, I think the shopping center here in Odense. It's big.
By Danish standards, that is. It's probably really small compared to American standards.
Furthermore, what's on the shelves in the US? More importantly, can I buy lube anywhere in Chicago at 3AM? (And doughnuts, sorry, Dief!)
Culture
because we're really not as alike as we sometimes think.
As an example, an American cop doesn't react as a Danish cop would. Nor do people in general. We're so used to American TV and movies, that we think we know how anyone would react, from the cops to the pimps on the streets. Don't ask me what's worse, leaning on what you know from your own place or basing it on the fiction you see on the screen?
Still, you take the idea and run with it. Right until you try to write it and someone points out that you've got it wrong...
Sometimes you just want to sit down and cry. You think you've got this kick ass story with a head kicking plot and killer lines. And then someone comes along and tells you that 'A Chicago cop would never do/say that.'
*lower lip trembles*
Language
My English teacher would cry if she only knew how I put my abilities to use...
I consider it a dirty advantage, really. Or rather, I've learned to view it that way. Back when I started out, I was told to not let anyone know that I was from a non-English speaking country. When you get "That's pretty good English for a Dane" thrown at you from someone who thinks Denmark is the capitol of Sweden, you either feel slightly defeated or you snort and tell them that your English a damned lot better than their AOL infested comment - no insult intended. I think I gave up on reading that 'feedback' I received, because the grammar scared me out of my mind. Though if that's all the feedback you get, instead of some comment on the story itself? It puts a dent in your joy. Sure, we say we write for our own sakes, but it still sucks when the feedback focuses on something like that instead of what you've put into it.
So where's the advantage?
Let me tell you a little secret. One of my favorite betas isn't English either. She's German. We got to talking at one point about why I found it more helpful to have her check my grammar on occasion, than an American or a Brit.
Well, if I tell you that the people who speak the worst Danish in terms or grammar are Danes, then I think you might get it. If it's a language you've learned because you had to/wanted to, then you're often more focused on doing it right. We're always sloppier with the language we grow up with (*shushes the peanut gallery of people who are militant about their language -- I'm talking about the majority*).
Holy Grail
A little word of advice, maybe even two...
So, how do you work your way around it all?
There's the language. Yes, it can feel like one heck of a barrier, but you know what? Try. I cringe when I re-read some of my really old stuff, but it has served as one thing. It's been an exercise and the more I've worked with it, the better I've become at it. The less I feel like the language difference trips me at inopportune times.
Apart from that, you work your way around it like you always do. It's no fun if the entire focus of your story ends up being on the grammar and wording instead of the actual plot.
In terms of cultural differences, and let's not even mention the layout of Chicago or Inuvik... Well, it's all research really. We have, at hand, the internet. You need to work up an ability for cutting the bull out and throwing it away, or you'll end up with a lot of useless nonsense. Really, you can look up just about anything and there are maps of EVERYTHING (even the moon! I mean, if you're doing an AU and you're... okay, never mind...)
Above all else... never forget that you're not alone. Due South isn't a dying fandom, nor does it seem to be shrinking. On the contrary, it seems to be growing every day. There are people from all around the world, Chicago too (not sure about Inuvik, though...)
So, how do you maneuver through Chicago without making too many blunders that would make any Chicagoan groan and shake their heads?
Ask. If you have a question, ask someone in the fandom. If they don't know it, they can point you in the right direction. There are several place online that are a huge help.
Don't know your way around the police districts? Don't know if there's an East Side or West Side in Chicago? Either search for a map or ask.
Betas are hard to come by, great betas are even harder to find, but if luck is with you, you get one who won't just take your sentences apart, but who'll also be a help in picking out silly mistakes that are rooted in cultural misunderstandings or language construction. Even better, use more than one beta reader. All those wonderful people out there each have an area that they're really good at. Some are research geniuses, some are grammar crunchers and some are just plain awesome.
And the best thing about the fandom? People are more than happy to help.
*hearts fandom*
--xim--
The Goodie Bag:
(Research links)
Chicagocrime.org
It's a bit morbid, but you get a good idea of what crimes are happening, but best of all? You get a map of the police districts.
dues_research
Anything you need to ask for? Locations, chronology, anything relating to the Due South fandom. Go here to ask for help. They also have a lot of links that are perfect for research.
sga_canada_help
Don't be fooled by the SGA in the name of this community. It's meant as a help when you're trying to write something Canadian. Not Due South specific, but they can still help.
ds_writers
Looking for a beta reader? Got a question for which you can't seem to find the answer? This is your place.
Let's start off easy: Hello, my penname is Ximeria, to many people simply known as 'Xim'. I'm here to ponder a topic that should have made me run for the hills back in 2001 when I first started writing fanfic.
See, I was born, and I still live, in a small country in Scandinavia (Denmark for those who are geography nerds or simply curious). For those who don't know, the language here is Danish, not English. Location wise, we're half-way around the globe from Chicago (give or take a bit).
So, what am I yammering about? Let's just say there are a few things that can seriously pull the writing experience to a grinding halt.
SIZE (it does matter, don't let them tell you otherwise...)
Everything here is small. This means one obstacle in writing a setting in a city like Chicago, USA, is the SIZE issue (not THAT size, please, I know it's fun down here in the gutter, but let's keep this at a certain level, eh?). I meant the size of the city, the buildings... everything, really.
CULTURE (a pesky thing, but getting it wrong can ruin any story)
This is Western Europe, but it's NOT the same culture as the US (sometimes we forget, until we try to write fanfic, that is).
LANGUAGE (we should all have a little yellow fish in our ear...)
So, how should it be treated? Is it a barrier or a dirty advantage?
THE HOLY GRAIL (or maybe just a few pieces of advice I've picked up over time)
How to best work your way around aforementioned problems.
Size
aka. Think BIG.
Simple everyday things are not the same. When I think supermarket, I have these smaller local supermarkets. They're pretty small but they fulfill my needs. When I think mal, I think the shopping center here in Odense. It's big.
By Danish standards, that is. It's probably really small compared to American standards.
Furthermore, what's on the shelves in the US? More importantly, can I buy lube anywhere in Chicago at 3AM? (And doughnuts, sorry, Dief!)
Culture
because we're really not as alike as we sometimes think.
As an example, an American cop doesn't react as a Danish cop would. Nor do people in general. We're so used to American TV and movies, that we think we know how anyone would react, from the cops to the pimps on the streets. Don't ask me what's worse, leaning on what you know from your own place or basing it on the fiction you see on the screen?
Still, you take the idea and run with it. Right until you try to write it and someone points out that you've got it wrong...
Sometimes you just want to sit down and cry. You think you've got this kick ass story with a head kicking plot and killer lines. And then someone comes along and tells you that 'A Chicago cop would never do/say that.'
*lower lip trembles*
Language
My English teacher would cry if she only knew how I put my abilities to use...
I consider it a dirty advantage, really. Or rather, I've learned to view it that way. Back when I started out, I was told to not let anyone know that I was from a non-English speaking country. When you get "That's pretty good English for a Dane" thrown at you from someone who thinks Denmark is the capitol of Sweden, you either feel slightly defeated or you snort and tell them that your English a damned lot better than their AOL infested comment - no insult intended. I think I gave up on reading that 'feedback' I received, because the grammar scared me out of my mind. Though if that's all the feedback you get, instead of some comment on the story itself? It puts a dent in your joy. Sure, we say we write for our own sakes, but it still sucks when the feedback focuses on something like that instead of what you've put into it.
So where's the advantage?
Let me tell you a little secret. One of my favorite betas isn't English either. She's German. We got to talking at one point about why I found it more helpful to have her check my grammar on occasion, than an American or a Brit.
Well, if I tell you that the people who speak the worst Danish in terms or grammar are Danes, then I think you might get it. If it's a language you've learned because you had to/wanted to, then you're often more focused on doing it right. We're always sloppier with the language we grow up with (*shushes the peanut gallery of people who are militant about their language -- I'm talking about the majority*).
Holy Grail
A little word of advice, maybe even two...
So, how do you work your way around it all?
There's the language. Yes, it can feel like one heck of a barrier, but you know what? Try. I cringe when I re-read some of my really old stuff, but it has served as one thing. It's been an exercise and the more I've worked with it, the better I've become at it. The less I feel like the language difference trips me at inopportune times.
Apart from that, you work your way around it like you always do. It's no fun if the entire focus of your story ends up being on the grammar and wording instead of the actual plot.
In terms of cultural differences, and let's not even mention the layout of Chicago or Inuvik... Well, it's all research really. We have, at hand, the internet. You need to work up an ability for cutting the bull out and throwing it away, or you'll end up with a lot of useless nonsense. Really, you can look up just about anything and there are maps of EVERYTHING (even the moon! I mean, if you're doing an AU and you're... okay, never mind...)
Above all else... never forget that you're not alone. Due South isn't a dying fandom, nor does it seem to be shrinking. On the contrary, it seems to be growing every day. There are people from all around the world, Chicago too (not sure about Inuvik, though...)
So, how do you maneuver through Chicago without making too many blunders that would make any Chicagoan groan and shake their heads?
Ask. If you have a question, ask someone in the fandom. If they don't know it, they can point you in the right direction. There are several place online that are a huge help.
Don't know your way around the police districts? Don't know if there's an East Side or West Side in Chicago? Either search for a map or ask.
Betas are hard to come by, great betas are even harder to find, but if luck is with you, you get one who won't just take your sentences apart, but who'll also be a help in picking out silly mistakes that are rooted in cultural misunderstandings or language construction. Even better, use more than one beta reader. All those wonderful people out there each have an area that they're really good at. Some are research geniuses, some are grammar crunchers and some are just plain awesome.
And the best thing about the fandom? People are more than happy to help.
*hearts fandom*
--xim--
The Goodie Bag:
(Research links)
Chicagocrime.org
It's a bit morbid, but you get a good idea of what crimes are happening, but best of all? You get a map of the police districts.
dues_research
Anything you need to ask for? Locations, chronology, anything relating to the Due South fandom. Go here to ask for help. They also have a lot of links that are perfect for research.
sga_canada_help
Don't be fooled by the SGA in the name of this community. It's meant as a help when you're trying to write something Canadian. Not Due South specific, but they can still help.
ds_writers
Looking for a beta reader? Got a question for which you can't seem to find the answer? This is your place.