Contractions in historic prose and dialogue

[Phyrebrat]

It's occured to me that I could reduce my word count in the WIP by changing my decision to avoid contractions in the two Middle Ages periods.

In case that's not clear, I mean that in hopes of keeping a sense of authenticity, I've made sure words like 'won't' and 'needn't' etc do not figure in those two periods, whilst they do in the 1700s-onwards sections.

To give myself less of a correction job later on when I come to edit, I wonder if I should just be done with it and include contractions in the old time periods, too.

What do you think?

pH

 

[HareBrain]

I would. I think avoiding contractions altogether often gives a speaker a feeling either of not being a native speaker, or of valuing correctness above everything else. Or being an elf.

 

[Venusian Broon]

I agree with HB.

I mean (although this is slightly different - for it pertains to the written word) words like upstairs, formed of compound words, were apparently first written as up-stairs, at least in Dickens time, and I'd guess earlier. Nowadays the modern contraction is taken rather than litter a manuscript with all those hyphens.

Or you could be a slave to absolute authenticity. (And does that mean that you have to have non-standard spelling of words pre- 16th Century?) However I think there is a difference between a 'sense of authenticity' - and having a consistent approach to it - and making far too much work for yourself.

 

[Vladd67]

I agree with HB.

I mean (although this is slightly different - for it pertains to the written word) words like upstairs, formed of compound words, were apparently first written as up-stairs, at least in Dickens time, and I'd guess earlier. Nowadays the modern contraction is taken rather than litter a manuscript with all those hyphens.

Or you could be a slave to absolute authenticity. (And does that mean that you have to have non-standard spelling of words pre- 16th Century?) However I think there is a difference between a 'sense of authenticity' - and having a consistent approach to it - and making far too much work for yourself.

Not to mention making reading your work more difficult for your readers.

 

[The Storyteller]

I think you could probably maintain dialogue that sounds authentic to the time period with contractions. When I watch shows with dialogue that seems unfitting for the time period the show is representing, it is never contractions that make it sound off. It's the use of slang or terms or concepts that aren't fitting for the time that usually jar me. I'm never been pulled out of the setting because someone said can't or won't. I think that if you are faithful with concepts and terms that are appropriate for the time, things like contractions (or using non-standard spelling, as mentioned above) won't matter.

(But then my sister the linguist read my book and told me I have a bad habit of mixing archaic ways of speaking with more modern language. :/ So maybe I'm not the best person to ask! )

 

[Abernovo]

I'd agree with HB and The Storyteller.

At the end of the day, you're writing a translation of what was said, anyway. I can (when I dust my brain off) read Middle English (depending upon dialect). Sure as hell wouldn't want to read a novel written in it, though, which I'd have to do if you were being authentic to any time period 1150 - 1450. Also, remember there are some older contractions, and those which are specific to place. I grew up with "amn't".

 

[Lafayette]

My quirk (if you want to call it that) is not using abbreviations as much as others do. For instance, I don't use Mr. I use Mister. I do have exceptions like FBI instead of Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is my way of avoiding laziness. My problem is I am not consistent enough. I think the problem is the internet has made us lazy. For some strange reason we tend to think we do not need to use proper grammar or spelling. I am a little turned off when people write: how r u? Or worst yet: 2 b or not 2 b? It makes me ask: if you are that lazy in writing what else are you lazy in? Would I want to hire you? I think not.

 

[The Judge]

You know how finickity I am in such matters, but it really wouldn't worry me if characters are using standard contractions if it suits their nature and upbringing/education, so go ahead.

 

[Lafayette]

There are exceptions especially when it comes to character dialog.

 

[Mouse]

Contract away. Otherwise it starts to sound stilted and naff.

 

[Vladd67]

Historically wouldn't there be contractions that aren't used now?