Writing - Migratory word habits

 I remember while I was growing up that my father was quite strict about use of language. He objected to the use of slang and lazy patterns of speech. Although he was a coal miner he still had a lot of pride in everything English and objected to even the BBC mispronouncing words such as Wednesday and temperature.

Using phrases and words that are more commonly from another country can add a richness to your narratives when you're writing your stories - obviously it's necessary to do your research.

Even though the above book is about the relationship between the USA and the UK there are characters who are American. When I was writing those characters I tried to make them more realistic by including American patents of speech. 

from the start = from the get go 

tap = fawcett 

car boot = trunk 

ending a task = call it a day 

Make proper plans = get all your ducks in a row 

There are a number of websites that you can find on Google that purport to list these American phrases, some of which I take issue with, but which are still useful in developing a character. 

 

The bottom line is language is dynamic and so continually changing and growing. Your writing needs to demonstrate that you are aware and are as dynamic in your work. 

God Bless 

Poetry Thursday 37 - Unexpected Friend

 Friends come in all shapes and sizes, they also last for different periods of time. One group of friends that we need to hold in higher esteem are those who are not cursed with apposable thumbs. 

Unexpected Friend

 

It’s good to walk in the country,

peaceful, full of familiar smells,

listening to the sound of shoes on tarmac,

 the birds singing in the air,

crunching of grass beneath cows’ feet.

 the occasional sound of mooing,

sheep bleating,

horses neighing.

 

When in the country you’re never completely alone,

one creature or another watching,  

occasionally they communicate,

 snuffling or an exasperated sighing.

 

 He was there at the low point where the gate cuts into the hedge,

 standing big, brown nearly black in places,

flecks of grey in his mane and round the muzzle,

 deep brown/black liquid eyes, all-knowing watched as I approached,

no way you could go past and ignore such a magnificent creature,

he’d seen life go by innumerable times.

 

Takes a bit of courage to walk up to such a beast,

 he must have stood 16 hands,

 commanding respect,

something that big deserves respect,

he wanted to talk to me in his own way,

 I raised a hand and gently stroked his nose,

he was happy, it was fine, he snuffled his permission,

perhaps he’d sensed a common soul as I’d walked head down,

enjoying the air,

 the nature.

 

What sort of life had he had?

I didn’t know how old he was,

 perhaps retired from farm work,

maybe he’d been some kind of show hoss,

 he was in good condition, coat shining like a new suit,

somebody obviously cared.

 

 I knew I’d walk this way again,

next time there would be polos,

they love polo mints,

even with large teeth and huge lips

 they manage to scoop a polo mint from an open palm,

they eat very politely, keeping lips together,

you can hear them crunching solidly.

 

We communed for almost half an hour then he took his leave,

I had provided a service but now he was done,

a toss of his magnificent head,

he trotted away.

Was it something I said?

I think he knew I would return.

© David L Atkinson April 2024 

God Bless 

Writing - Dialect

 Not living in the area in which I was born has led to some interesting interactions with the locals. In these days of wokeness some of those interactions could be considered bullying. On the other hand they were probably attempts to make an outsider feel included, or it could be the human need to 'place' people.

Owen Brannigan (1908 - 1973) 

Owen Brannigan was an operatic bass (basso profundo) who also had a similar dialect to yours truly. I don't know about Owen but I was actively discouraged from speaking in the dialect as 'teachers don't talk like that'.

If you wish to hear that dialect click on the link. (or cut and paste)

https://youtu.be/sTmvjjoGgYw?si=KiE1En3rmoMGQMhA 

In creating a story, dialect can be used to provide depth and colour to the narrative bonny lad. I'm not taakin' aboot a regional language like Irish or Welsh but the micro variations that develop from street to street within an area. If you want te hav a go dee sum research. 

Andy Capp 

After aal we wanna be as orthentik as possible. 

Finally, as music is an interesting medium that can be used to transmit languages and dialects the link below will take you to a choir in the north east, singing 'properly', but using dialect words man. 

FYI - Ca' Hawkie Through the Watter is about getting a coo (cow) to cross a stream etc.

https://youtu.be/BUmQuXclK9g?si=3GHhoejYozrHYUYn

God Bless 

Poetry Thursday 36 - A little known species

 Thanks once again to the David Attenborough series of nature programmes this one called mammals for introducing me to a species I had never heard of before. The false killer whale It's found in temperate waters of most oceans, is an intelligent and well organised Hunter, and is happy to share its kill with other members of its pod. What is unusual about these creatures is that they establish relationships with other dolphins mostly the bottlenecks dolphin which they maintain over long periods of time.

False Killers

 

Of the false killer whale little is known,

bigger than its namesake and more vocal,

tropical and temperate waters are their home,

distinguishing mark a triangular dorsal.

 

No white markings on their black body,

they will hunt in groups to catch their prey,

tossing lunch in the air a characteristic activity,

but happy to share in an egalitarian way.

 

Of their complex social behaviours unique bonds,

happy to befriend other species,

bottlenose dolphins are particular friends,

meeting annually without animosities.

 

A lesson to humans in how they care,

forming lasting and supportive states,

prepared to put out for other species – rare,

faithful friends for life, true mates.

© David L Atkinson April 2024 

God Bless 

Writing - Evolving Language 2

 'Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit and the highest form of intelligence.' 

 Whether you agree with that statement or not the one fundamental truth is that it is the use of language. As writers our trade is in the use of language. In the statements below by various notable people from the past there are examples of the clever use of language. I often wish that I was quick witted enough to come up with something equally clever and spontaneous, however, although that's not the case I do enjoy being involved with words and the meaning that they convey. 

There are lots of amusing people involved in comedy and entertaining and as humour is very personal I don't recommend any one above another but Rowan Atkinson is almost a compendium of the use of different language styles from his Mr Bean to the stand up comedy he produces us himself. 

 "I've just learned about his illness. Let's hope it's nothing trivial.” - Irvin S. Cobb

 "He is not only dull himself; he is the cause of dullness in others.” - Samuel Johnson

 "He is simply a shiver looking for a spine to run up. -  Paul Keating

 "He loves nature in spite of what it did to him.” - Forrest Tucker

  "Why do you sit there looking like an envelope without any address on it?” - Mark Twain

 "His mother should have thrown him away and kept the stork.” - Mae West

 "Some cause happiness wherever they go; others, whenever they go.” - Oscar Wilde

 "He uses statistics as a drunken man uses lamp-posts... for support rather than illumination.” - Andrew Lang (1844-1912)

 "He has Van Gogh's ear for music.” - Billy Wilder

 "I've had a perfectly wonderful evening. But I'm afraid this wasn't it.” - Groucho Marx

 The exchange between Winston Churchill & Lady Astor: 

She said, "If you were my husband I'd give you poison." 

He said, "If you were my wife, I'd drink it." 

Whenever you're writing take the time to calve the mental images you wish your readers to experience.

God Bless 

Poetry Thursday 35 - Animal lovers

 I have been watching David Attenborough's new nature programme Mammals on BBC. The recurring theme of species being seriously depleted as a result of global warming and other human activity I found quite depressing. It had inspired me to write the poem below as a warning to our own species to behave ourselves and respect the planet. 

Animal lovers

 

Known as a nation of animal lovers,

cats and dogs in homes by the million,

but behaviours taught and learned uncovers,

tendencies for creature abandon.

 

Wood a nation of animal lovers,

create such havoc in habitats,

depleting species as planet abusers,

acting as proud animal aristocrats.

 

The naked ape needs to take care,

humans are not invulnerable creatures,

of microscopic viruses we must be aware,

lest they become our teachers.

 

Animal lovers responsibilities maintain,

history we have created must inform,

from future damage we must abstain,

and proactive corrections immediately perform.

© David L Atkinson April 2024 

God Help Us 

Writing - Evolving language

 So in continuing to think about writing story writing in fact writing have anything at all it's important to remember that the vehicle that we use, language, is continuously evolving. Words that I considered slang and I was taught were slang by my parents are now socially acceptable and appear in the most prodigious dictionaries. As a result of changes the impacts and effect on what we write has also changed and is also dynamic. 

It's not just the physical representation on the page of what we want to say but also the subtle meanings of the sentences that we write. I collected together a number of old sayings from a variety of sources which are mildly entertaining but also quite informative as to where language was a number of years ago.

These sayings/insults are incredible gems from an era before the English language got boiled down to 4-letter words! I hope you delight in them as much as I have. 😅♥️

 

1. "He had delusions of  adequacy. ” Walter Kerr

 2. "He has all the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire.”- Winston Churchill

3. "I have never killed a man, but I have read many obituaries with great pleasure. - Clarence Darrow

4. "He has never been known to use a word that might send a reader to the dictionary.”-William Faulkner (about Ernest Hemingway)

5. "Poor Faulkner. Does he really think big emotions come from big words?"- Ernest Hemingway (about William Faulkner)

6. "Thank you for sending me a copy of your book; I'll waste no time reading it.” - Moses Hadas

7. "I didn't attend the funeral, but I sent a nice letter saying I approved of it.” - Mark Twain

8. "He has no enemies, but is intensely disliked by his friends.” - Oscar Wilde

 9. "I am enclosing two tickets to the first night of my new play; bring a friend, if you have one.”   - George Bernard Shaw to Winston Churchill

10. "Cannot possibly attend first night, will attend second... if there is one.” - Winston Churchill, in response

11. "I feel so miserable without you; it's almost like having you here” - Stephen Bishop

12. "He is a self-made man and worships his creator.” - John Bright

God Bless 

Poetry Thursday 34 - Common Cold

 So my message this week is common in fact so common the clue is in the name. The first poem was a middle of the night haiku!

 

Common Cold

 

Inhaling is good

Diaphragmatically

Snot always messy

© David L Atkinson April 2024 

Wednesday Cold

 

Wednesday dawned to find poor lad full of cold,

with dripping nose, hacking cough,

and aching muscles having him feel very old,

but being male he hangs tough.

© David L Atkinson April 2024 

God Bless 

Writing - For the Best

 Just a quick read for an Easter Monday. 

Blurb 

Steele is drawn into a situation involving DCI K Best and then a threat to the Royal family. added to this echoes of his past and we have a story filled with questions.
The story takes place wholly within the British Isles and involves a minor member of the Royal family but was she the target or was she bait?
Has Steele met his match on this occasion?
Who is behind the plot? 

A convoluted plot but what kind of ending?

God Bless