Colloquial speech

[Maryd.]

Hi all,

Can anyone enlighten me on protocol of colloquial speech in novels. Is it up to the author to do the research and insert the correct speech or is it up to the editor.

The problem I am having is that I have completed my first novel and have had a terrible time editing, as a lot of the dialogue involves aboriginal slang/tongue. I have completed the editing, but I am still not sure if the colloquial speech is correct.

If anyone knows what the protocol is; or has an opinion I would love to hear it.

Regards
Little Mary

[hdw]

Hi all,

Can anyone enlighten me on protocol of colloquial speech in novels. Is it up to the author to do the research and insert the correct speech or is it up to the editor.

The problem I am having is that I have completed my first novel and have had a terrible time editing, as a lot of the dialogue involves aboriginal slang/tongue. I have completed the editing, but I am still not sure if the colloquial speech is correct.

If anyone knows what the protocol is; or has an opinion I would love to hear it.

Regards
Little Mary

The kind of speech you put in your characters' mouths is definitely your responsibility. I can't think of anything more crucial to the plausibility or otherwise of a novel than getting people's speech mannerisms right - and that is definitely not an editor's task. They are there basically to check your grammar and syntax and maybe suggest cuts and other "improvements" - hopefully with a light touch and lots of tact! - but you can't expect them to be fluent in a particular dialect you have decided to use.

Harry

[Maryd.]

Thanks for your response Harry.

Maybe I need to speak to an Aborigine to get the accent right for the book then. I did attempt most of the lines on my own, but you know how it is?

Thanks again, for the info.
regards
Little Mary