Really, they're talking Liaden

[rolanni]

So, I'm noodling along through Scout's Progress, though not nearly as quickly as I had hoped today because the day-job wanted me to, like, work -- what's with that, exactly? -- and! I find a section where Daav and Er Thom are walking in the garden, talking, and there is a word -- a foreign word! -- properly italicized in their conversation.

What word? you ask breathlessly.

Moxie.




I'm for the couch, red pen, paperclips and galleys in hand.

Comments

[mardott.livejournal.com]

NO - it's italics to show it's an English word within the stream of Liaden. Perhaps it's a case of there not being a Liaden word that says it quite as well as the English one.

[rolanni.livejournal.com]

Indeed, it is -- the italics donate a foreign word within context. The trouble is, I've been busily underlining-for-ital all the Liaden words...which kinda makes what to do about "moxie" a puzzle.

[gentlescholar.livejournal.com]

Emphasize its alien nature by leaving it not italicized, I suggest. The idea is to have the word stick out as seeming "out of place" in the flow. This person's opinion.

[pgranzeau.livejournal.com]

This is my opinion only:

You're writing English, not Liaden; therefore, you are already translating Liaden into English. Moxie is American slang--why not indicate that the speaker uses a Terran slang word by putting it in quotes rather than indicating it is untranslated Liaden, where you use italics, or better yet, leave it alone completely?

[rolanni.livejournal.com]

Moxie is American slang--why not indicate that the speaker uses a Terran slang word by putting it in quotes

It's an idea. But it looks Profoundly Ugly on the page.

or better yet, leave it alone completely?

This would be my preference. Says she who is Sick To Death of underlining perfectly good words.