Describing accents

[Nerds_feather]

I have a character who I want to describe as having a thick accent--the idea I had was something that sounds, maybe, like a cross between how a Scottish accent and Russian-accented English might sound to a person living in London or LA. However, I realize that I lack understanding of how to describe an accent--any accent! Any advice?

This is for a fantasy WiP that takes place in a pseudo-early Modern setting (not in alt-England or alt-North America, I should say, but I don't know if that really matters).

 

[Jo Zebedee]

I have books set in Norn Iron, and I can do it like it's really said, like this, ye see?

I'm guessing most craighters are keeping up and know what the craic is. If not, drap me a wee messag-y thing and I'll get back to ye, ye eejit. Now, away and boil yer head. (Actually .i've never said that last biT. Ever....)

Or I can do this:

I'm guessing most of you are keeping up with the craic. If not, let me know and I'll translate, you eejit...

In short, dialect can be overkill and make it incomprehensible. I drop in salient words that are authentic and try to keep the splices etc that might be relevant. I couldn't do it with an accent I didn't know.

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

Given that this is a fantasy world, I tend to think that you should avoid linguistic specifics and instead go with general descriptions, depending on what effect you want to create. The accent might be heard as soft or guttural, rasping or liquid, monotone or changing pitch, and so on.

 

[Juliana]

Here's a thought; instead of describing his accent, you can describe the reaction to it; so have other characters react by asking him/her to repeat, or him/her getting puzzled looks when speaking, etc.

 

[AnyaKimlin]

Scottish accent will depend on which one but "I struggled to understand what he said. Think he wanted my fit to like and my boots furry."
Now depending on which accent he could be lyrical, soft and quiet, or harsh and fast - almost aggressive. And I think the latter would fit with the Russian crossover.

Like this:

 

[Phyrebrat]

Given that this is a fantasy world, I tend to think that you should avoid linguistic specifics and instead go with general descriptions, depending on what effect you want to create. The accent might be heard as soft or guttural, rasping or liquid, monotone or changing pitch, and so on.

Here's a thought; instead of describing his accent, you can describe the reaction to it; so have other characters react by asking him/her to repeat, or him/her getting puzzled looks when speaking, etc.

Yes! This.

And also, here's a particularly lovely realisation of the above in TV with the genius of Mr Callis

pH

 

[Denise Tanaka]

I'd say use apostrophes and slang/dialect terms sparingly but enough to give a flavor. Have pity on your reader, and remember people are reading with their eyes. (As opposed to Dickens or Twain when often one person read aloud to the family and needed those annotations to give each character a distinct voice.) I like Juliana's suggestion to use others' reactions. Women could find it appealing. If you're in the POV of the accented character, describe his feelings about it -- embarrassed about sounding weird, frustrated when people don't understand, etc.

Also, get it very clear in your head what "sound" you're going for. Rolling of the Rs?

 

[Azraeth]

I have a few- one of my provinces is based on France, so I describe it as (apologies if lack of context makes these examples seem strange):

‘Captain Avery,’ the first said in a thick Serician accent, the vowels and consonants rolling together. Tiegs had once told him the Serician accent sounded like the words were in bed together, and Will finally understood what he meant.

Another is based on Italy:

The man seemed to use words for one meaning and gestures for whatever lay beneath what he said, as if two conversations were taking place. His polite words, while having the cadence of a quick two-step, seemed to be at odds with his hands, which suggested a darker tone entirely.

 

[The Ace]

I have said, "Awa' an bile yer heid," on many occasions. I'd also like, "Och aye !" and the occasional, "The noo," to be taken into consideration. I've lost count of the times I, "Didnae ken."

No Scot ever born has said, "Och aye, the noo."

I've also combined two positives to make a negative, "Aye, right !" and dismissed an argument with a single word, "sh*te !"