(no subject)

[beanside]

So, as Jess and I have mentioned, we're writing an arranged marriage crossdressing space epic, with alien overlords. It's kind of a stargate type thing, where the pyramids were made by aliens, etc, and they rescued humanity when we blew ourselves up. As a result, the new civilization is founded on Egyptian mythology.

In it, we're using occasional Egyptian words. The big question is, as readers, how should we handle the foreign words?


[Poll #1334395]

Comments

[maharetr.livejournal.com]

You're both totally good enough to slip in the word with enough context: not just the words around it, but a character's body language, tone of voice, everything.

[lunardreamed.livejournal.com]

I think it would be really nice to have someplace to go to find out what the words mean. I can usually figure out from context, but I am fascinated by language and like to have the opportunity to learn what a word mean when I encounter it. It doesn't have to interrupt the flow of the story, but it would be nice to have some kind of reference.

[lomer.livejournal.com]

Ideally I'll be able to figure it out from the context but sometimes I'm tired and I just can't figure out what a shumpage is supposed to be and that's when footnotes come in handy. Just a little note at the end of the chapter that tells me that shumpage is supposed to be an attack by a wild man-beast and not a cuddle in a bed of roses.

[beanside.livejournal.com]

*giggle*

[gblvr.livejournal.com]

Do what I do for Czech words - a mouseover. Like this - prosim.

This is the code for it (replace the [] with <>):

[a title="english for the word"]the word[/a]

[beanside.livejournal.com]

Ooooh, even better!


Thank you!

[gblvr.livejournal.com]

You are most welcome -- I hate having to go somewhere else to find out what the characters are saying; this way people know, right then, and I can use more Czech....

[maharetr.livejournal.com]

Okay, that? Is awesome. *takes note*

[gblvr.livejournal.com]

Someone on my flist taught me how to do it.... :-D

[chainedinbeads.livejournal.com]

Ooo I like that.

[gblvr.livejournal.com]

Hee. Feel free to snag it any time you want, as I got it from someone on my flist....

[chainedinbeads.livejournal.com]

Thank you.

[angstpuppy.livejournal.com]

ok that's just awesomesauce

[gblvr.livejournal.com]

A+ for you!

[darktouch.livejournal.com]

Footnotes. Not just Regular Footnotes however, Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell style footnotes that go on for pages.

[chainedinbeads.livejournal.com]

I was going to say an on-going glossary but I love gblvr's way of doing it so I'm going to agree with her.