Yes its Xan with another annoying thread were he asks yet more advice.
After almost saying 'guys' for the 30th time in my book, i just realised; i have very little idea how to refer to two males who are younger than men but more than boys.
Guys is just about the only word for that i know; and its American.
Being English with quite a few American influences of TV growing up i dont actuall speak like either.
I speak Englerican
What does a writer do in this case?
Since i'm english i'm pretty sure any 'americanisms' in my book will be called out imediatly.
The problem is i cant help it; its how i'v grown up, not to say i like speaking a mishmash but its a fact i cant change.
But it is also a large problem in my writing since if i stop to think every time i use an American term i'd be forever looking at a thesaurus.
And thats only the ones i notice, i'm sure i say plenty i dont even know as american terms.
Yeesh, i dont see any easy solution Posted by Lissande (Member # 350) on :
You could always call them "laddies" or "young blokes," I suppose...
Posted by Xan (Member # 9015) on :
Hahahahahahaha
Wrong area of england for me unfortunatly; actually i think youths would work.
Posted by Lissande (Member # 350) on :
Just thought I'd muddy the waters with a little more regional terminology. Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
I love this bit from "My Cousin Vinnie":
quote:Vinny: Is it possible, the two utes... Judge: Eh, the two what? Uh, uh, what was that word? Vinny: Uh, what word? Judge: Two what? Vinny: What? Judge: Uh, did you say 'Utes'? Vinny: Yeah, two utes. Judge: What is a ute? Vinny: Oh, excuse me, your honor. Two YOUTHS.
Posted by aspectre (Member # 2222) on :
Depends on where and who. Eg "boyos" could refer to friends ala "Me boyo", while "yobbos" would be "Those yobbos" or "Those yobs". Except when you're playin' the chancer*, then you could refer to your fellows as "yobs". Then again, if ya really are a yob, you'd probably tend to refer to your group as "casuals". And the casuals you don't associate with as "yobs".
Using "blokes" would be nice, except it tends to refer to strangers -- it would never be "my blokes" -- who are a bit more straight-laced.
And "chaps" is a pretty much obso reference to the public**school-class, except when being deliberately archaic. Again it would be "those chaps" and not mine. Same with the "fine young cannibals", except it tends to be used as a cheeky self-reference. Think of mods, posh discos, and The Lord of the Flies: though I suspect it's origin is much older; sometime between Churchill's youth and that of Lawrence (of Arabia).
* On the wrong side of the tracks and the grey side of the law ** An English public school would be an American private school.
Posted by Teshi (Member # 5024) on :
I would use the following as neutral terms: Youths (implication of delinquency) Young Men (implies responsibility)
Of course there's also: People
It also depends on how you're referring to the people, if you're saying something like "The guys looked at her in surprise" can you switch it so it reads, "the two/three looked at her..." or "they..." (assuming it's clear who "they" is) or "Benny and Jim looked..."
If you think you're using "guys" an awful lot perhaps you keep repeating a phrase that actually has other alternatives rather than other words for "guys"?
Also, is the book taking place in England? Because if not you might be quite able to use "guys" a lot.
Posted by Xan (Member # 9015) on :
The problem is my writing style is 3rd person mixed with Outside view.
Example:
The two lads/chaps/blokes/boyos/guys moved closer to the fire, the night chill causing their breath to mist. Zayne sighed 'Well, things could be going better' He couldnt help but wonder if they would make it out of this forest alive. There had been some tough times in his life; but never this bad. He looked over at his companion, noticing Nadoshi seemed to be mumbling to himself.
It just doesnt read right, eh?
Posted by Teshi (Member # 5024) on :
It's okay in that instance, individually, but if you're using that kind of phrase a lot (to begin each scene for example) it will get repetative. I agree that "guys" is a lot out of place in this type of writing.
Is that the start of a new scene?
"Zayne and Nadoshi moved closer to..."
If not, we probably already know that it's Zayne and Nadoshi. If it's a scene continuing from earlier that day when they built the fire, or right after a small gap in the narrative...
"As their breath began to mist in the night air, they moved closer to the fire. Zayne sighed..."
I'm late for class! More later!
Posted by Swampjedi (Member # 7374) on :
Personally, I've always thought that "young man" was patronizing.
Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
quote:Originally posted by Xan: The two lads/chaps/blokes/boyos/guys moved closer to the fire, the night chill causing their breath to mist.
How about, "The two friends", "The two companions", "The travelers"?
Posted by The Pixiest (Member # 1863) on :
Younglings...
^^;;
Posted by Xan (Member # 9015) on :
Ah, thank you Tante! Thats a good idea, i was thinking to specificaly, those fit perfectly.
Heh, that was a new scene since i made it up just to demonstrate what i ment
Swampjedi: I'v always found most ways of refering to people younger than 20+ patronising.
They tend to make the lack of life experiance sound like a personal genetic fault.
Posted by Teshi (Member # 5024) on :
Well, anyway, that's what I mean. You also can avoid it completely:
"The night began to chill. Zayne moved closer to the fire and sighed..."
Posted by Xan (Member # 9015) on :
Thanks man, thats a good idea and true; still the terms will help later in the story Posted by King of Men (Member # 6684) on :
Or you can just avoid the noun entirely, when the reader knows what they are, as in "The two/pair/friends moved closer to the fire".
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