Whisper My Name

[The Procrastinator]

I still think it is valid to switch words that cause needless confusion and would just break up the reader's immersion in the story, in the same way that colour/color gets changed.

Can't agree, sorry. Why should one bunch of people be given the impression that everyone in the world speaks just like they do? Small contextual things like spelling and "dialect" adds to the overall flavour of a piece of writing and I think we are the poorer if we "culturally homogenise" written expression. Are people really so dim they can't work out what chips are in a given context? Or that a jumper might not be a dress? I also disagree with kid's books being changed in this way (never saw the point of changing the title of the Philosopher's Stone, for instance). The earlier on you realise that your vocabulary and spelling is not necessarily global, that there are other valid ways of spelling, speaking and writing even within the one language, the better it is for you in my opinion. It makes you more flexible and enriches your understanding of the world, and possibly even makes you a less insular thinker. It certainly helps minimise confusion if you travel to another English-speaking country.

I still say any reader worth their salt will deal with such differences, no matter how minor. Australia has a small population so the vast majority of the books we read are written elsewhere. We don't "Australianise" spelling or slang words. We expand our vocabularies instead; it's not that hard.

 

[Stylus]

Small contextual things like spelling and "dialect" adds to the overall flavour of a piece of writing and I think we are the poorer if we "culturally homogenise" written expression.

Hmm ... on reflection, I agree with you. I'm not sure why I was putting up a defence for homogenisation when some my favourite books are teeming with very specific references to a time/place (Regency street-slang, in particular, is diamond of the first water). Thinking about it, a novel set in England where a character orders "fish and french fries" would sound utterly ridiculous.

I guess I was thinking of books from a sales/marketing point of view, with some words being naturalised in the same way that book covers are changed to appeal to different countries. The 'Philosopher's/Sorceror's Stone' switch was a marketing decision (and clearly not a wise one), but it didn't really affect the contents of the novel, just the 'packaging'. (I know titles can be important, but I don't think there are many first-time authors who would baulk at title-change if the publishers insisted).

I still say any reader worth their salt will deal with such differences, no matter how minor.

And that's the thing with marketing - commerical fiction has to sell copies to as many people as possible, not just the ones who are clever/patient enough to expand their vocabularies. Maybe a lexicon at the back of the book is the answer.

 

[dreir]

*sigh* I thought I'd seen the last of 'em Marmite on these boards..

- Dreir -

ps: Very good points, TP.

 

[reiver33]

The car in question is a 1996 Alfa Romeo GTV 2.0 Twin Spark 16v Lusso. I chose this as I came across one for sale at £995 - looks fabulous, does zero to repair shop in under two weeks...

Incidently, is Marmite the same as Vegimite, just re-branded to amke it sound more exotic?

 

[dreir]

Zero to re... Lol.. I actually didn't get that on the first read..

Have no idea, but I think I would hate Vegimite just as much..

- Dreir -

 

[Boneman]

By Reiver

Incidently, is Marmite the same as Vegimite, just re-branded to amke it sound more exotic?

No way.....!!! Marmite is smooth, silky, and dances on the tastebuds like a host of angels, and is derived from the brewing industry. Vegemite is harsh, horrible and comes from Kangaroo's jockstrap......

 

[The Procrastinator]

Up to a point I agree with Boneman. There is definitely a difference between Marmite and Vegemite, and silkiness may be part of it. Vegemite perhaps comes over as more robust in flavour. Mind you they are both such extreme flavours that to call one more "in your face" than the other is a bit like the pot and the kettle. Anyone not used to them would possibly die if forced to eat either at the proper thickness. I have known an American friend become physically ill at the mere smell of Vegemite, and I dare say Marmite would have had a similar effect on her as she clearly had no defense mechanisms. Either could be used as a method of torture on unsuspecting non-users. Users (certain Aussies for instance) can eat them by the spoonful quite happily (not recommended for ones health).

There are those like Boneman who chose one over the other and maintain their loyalty with religious fervour, or perhaps sporting fervour, but really they have more in common than they have differences, and they both have much to recommend them. Unless you hate them of course. Personally I love them both, just as they are.

 

[HareBrain]

Can you even get Vegemite in the UK? I think they have specially trained sniffer dogs at airports and a stop-and-search policy for all Aussie ships.

Now to fully hijack the thread while Martin ponders, does anyone over a certain age remember Virol? Some kind of malt extract - must have had a 100% vomit rate among small kids forced to consume it "for their health".

 

[Boneman]

Now that the thread is truly hijacked......don't remember it being called Virol, but remember the puke.....it must have had cod liver oil in it, or something.

By The Procrstinator

I have known an American friend become physically ill at the mere smell of Vegemite, and I dare say Marmite would have had a similar effect on her as she clearly had no defense mechanisms.

Ha ha, just realised I'm 'pasting' a post on Marmite..... I did a trip around the USA last year on a harley, and took my own Marmite. One of the Americans on the trip tried it, and had an instant addiction, I have to keep sending him some. Couldn't say I cared for Grits, or biscuits and gravy, but their hash browns, eggs (over easy), and bacon strips? Oh yes..........

 

[Precision Grace]

Well, since I cannot, in good faith, be accused of hijacking this thread; here's another question re: changing words in books so dumb americans wouldn't have to tax their miniscule brains;
are they dubbing English speaking films now too? Is 007's voice re-recorded to sound more mid-western? does harry potter say 'dude' instead of 'mate'?

Does this mean they have an american version of Romeo and Juliet? What am I asking! of course they have, I think that drippy Julia Stiles is in it...


*wanders away holding head in hands*

Edit: all you marmite and vegimite lovers sign here so I can make sure never to meet you in person

 

[The Procrastinator]

<---carries a small jar of Vegemite with her as an obnoxious foreigner repellent at all times so would probably be on the "don't meet" list.

Subtitles are understandable, but then some people have trouble with the reading speed required, so perhaps they do dub. Honestly I have no idea.

While we're completely off topic I always admire actors who can pull other accents off flawlessly or almost so.

To get back on topic kind of, one of the reasons I like Whisper My Name is that the story is very easy to visualise and you can almost hear the voices.

 

[reiver33]

Right then,

I'm going to have a go at writing the 'full thing', although I'm not sure just how long it will end up to satisfy the story arc rattling around in my head. From other 'good ideas' I've had in the past I know that trying to write down a formal synopsis tends to dissipate the overall vision somewhat, like the way a dream fades as you try and remember it.

If anyone would like to stay in touch over this you can reach me at reiver33@googlemail.co.uk

Cheers - and thanks!

Martin

 

[reiver33]

Actually it's reiver33@googlemail.com Doh!

 

[dreir]

I've talked to my lawyer and he seems pretty sure that I can't be accused of hijacking this thread. The thread is more or less concluded (i.e. almost dead) and I'm actually breathing new life into it, for which I should be given some sort of important-sounding commendation (so he says).

I did a trip around the USA last year on a harley, and took my own Marmite. One of the Americans on the trip tried it, and had an instant addiction, I have to keep sending him some.

I wouldn't be suprised to go to snopes.com or urbanlegends and find this story on them, alongside some of the most preposterous lies ever invented. In fact, if they don't have it I'm just going to assume that their 'investigators' simply hadn't gotten around to it. I think I died the first time I tasted Marmite (as an obnoxious foreigner), but the MSS (Marmite Secret Service) erased my memory of it. This is consistent with the fact that I have this curious piece of recollection in which I was lying back peacefully with a smile on my face on a broad expanse of rolling meadows with the birds chirping above me, which does not seem to fit in with the rest of my chequered past. A pitifully unconvincing attempt at cover up, if you asked me.

Anyway, PG, could you please send me a copy of that list afterwards?

- Dreir -

 

[Boneman]

Just a cotton-picking minute here..........

By dreir
This is consistent with the fact that I have this curious piece of recollection in which I was lying back peacefully with a smile on my face on a broad expanse of rolling meadows with the birds chirping above me, which does not seem to fit in with the rest of my chequered past.

This IS what happens when you consume Marmite, but it normally takes at least ten years of total concentration, dedication, and consumption before you achieve this state of Nirvana. And you got it on your first try!!!!!!! Do you have ANY idea how jealous that makes us? (ie marmite lovers the world over), just unbelievable, you must be the Chosen One, and don't realise it. We have been waiting for decades for The Chosen One to appear.........

 

[HareBrain]

Hey, that just reminded me of something - I checked the message printed on the underside of every jar lid and it says:

And the aspect of the Chosen One shall be confusing; neither shall it be easily told whether the Chosen One be a monster of flame and shadow dark as the velvety unguent that salves both taste-buds and soul, or a hot chick on a couch.

 

[Boneman]

Quote:
And the aspect of the Chosen One shall be confusing; neither shall it be easily told whether the Chosen One be a monster of flame and shadow dark as the velvety unguent that salves both taste-buds and soul, or a hot chick on a couch

The legend says: But when both are transfigured in one body, then the Chosen One is manifest on Earth, and Marmite shall increase in sales and taste......

 

[HareBrain]

The legend says: But when both are transfigured in one body ...

What, a twenty-foot-tall hot chick dressed in black and with a flaming whip? Boneman, I'm really starting to worry about you ...

Marmite shall increase in sales and taste......

Impossibility! The thought is sacrilege! Blasphemer!


(Edit: wow, we're getting postcount credits for this! And it should be in Lounge! We've beaten the system!!!!

Far away, a mod stirred in its slumber ...)

 

[Boneman]

Quote:
Marmite shall increase in sales and taste......
Impossibility! The thought is sacrilege! Blasphemer!

The keeper of the secret recipe details (see side of jar for confirmation of this) has been charged with decreasing sodium chloride, and increasing vitamin B12 now that the Chosen One has appeared.......... The legend that foretold of her coming has never been wrong before........

Now I must go and worship at the Altar of Toast.....

 

[dreir]

So... What do I do now?

Ahh yes, now I remember.. 'And s/he shall hold forth her/is beflamed hands, and her/is awesome fury shall smite the breweries of all the lands and crush the multitude of jars of unholy aphrodisiac, and neither velvety smoothness nor a host of dancing angels shall save them or the misled believers...'.

There are a lot more, I think. Mostly of death and destruction and of how there are never ever gonna be any more marmite on all the worlds of the universe.

I remember I got this from the One True Jar, so I wouldn't doubt it if I were you. Whoops, I'm starting to feel like crushing things already..

- Dreir -