I am assuming that most people are familar with it. However, I sent an early version of a draft to a friend and he didn't have any idea what it was. Maybe it would help if I framed the scene a bit.
Parents are talking around their child and one uses pig latin. The story is done from the childs POV. It is my intention that the reader can see what is being said and yet leave my MC out of teh conversation.
Is this wise? My question is would the use of pig latin a good idea in a story? Or is it too disrupting to the reader?
Posted by genevive42 (Member # 8714) on :
I think if it doesn't go on too long, it's fine. And even if someone hasn't heard of it, it's not like it's hard to figure out.
Posted by skadder (Member # 6757) on :
I'm sure i could figure it out--I didn't try because I just saw words that weren't english words--I skipped it. I guess it isn't hard to figure out when you know what you are looking at.
I understand the situation--parents talking so the child can't understand--but I don't know how to understand pig-latin. I can be taught but that isn't the point. Perhaps others won't understand to.
With my son, we used to spell stuff when we wanted to mention something without him getting, e.g.
"Did you buy the, er... P-R-E-S-E-N-T?" he asked. (make's 'em want to learn to spell!)
I think it doesn't matter UNLESS the information in pig-latin is important to know. If it doesn't matter if the reader understands it or not, then I guess it doesn't apart from it becomes a stumble.
[This message has been edited by skadder (edited August 08, 2010).]
Posted by snapper (Member # 7299) on :
It's a single sentence, 7 words to be exact. A bit long to spell out, though.
Posted by genevive42 (Member # 8714) on :
Maybe you could just say, 'He said it in pig latin so little Joey wouldn't understand.' Then you don't have to write it out or confuse anybody.
Wait, I just saw that it's in the child's pov. Then I say, write it out.
[This message has been edited by genevive42 (edited August 08, 2010).]
Posted by babooher (Member # 8617) on :
seriously, who doesn't love a little igpay atinlay? Or is it igpa atinla? atinlae?
Posted by axeminister (Member # 8991) on :
So I guess that's ixnay on the atinlay then?
I'm only thinking pig-Latin would work for very short phrases we are already very familiar with.
If you have them speak a seven word sentence, but it's a regular old sentence then I'd be hard pressed to figure it out because it would be non-English words.
Besides, I'm not sure how many folks can whip out pig-latin on command... maybe people who practice it frequently?
Axe
Posted by babooher (Member # 8617) on :
Snapper, I think most people use pig latin pidgin. So instead of saying "Areay eway avinghay izzapay orfay innerday?" I believe a bunch of people might say "Are we having izzapay for innerday?"
I personally think pig latin can be hilarious. Ever heard of cow latin?
Posted by aspirit (Member # 7974) on :
I've never heard of cow latin. As for pig latin, I think babooher's idea is good. People are more likely to change a word or two than to speak an entire sentence in code.
Posted by MAP (Member # 8631) on :
I'm seconding Babooher's idea.
Just put a few key words in pig latin. I think most people know pig latin, and those who don't can figure out a few words.
Posted by axeminister (Member # 8991) on :
I third the idea.
Axe
Posted by Robert Nowall (Member # 2764) on :
There's a clip of the Three Stooges that's a must for any serious student of Pig Latin...it's on YouTube somewhere...
Posted by skadder (Member # 6757) on :
Perhaps it is more of an American thing--no-one at my work knows how to speak it, either.
I understand French and Norwegian, but I'd hesitate to assume people would understand it--especially if I wanted a wide audience.
'Working it out' means the reader has to pause--assuming like me they don't know pig latin--dicipher a jumble of letters, discard bits that have been added on, take a letter from the end and stick on the front. This doesn't sound like an immersive reader trance to me.
Posted by snapper (Member # 7299) on :
I like babooher's idea too. Thanks, I think 3 out of 7 of the words would work.
I remember the pig latin scene as well in the 3 stooges.