Hey all, yes, I am hard at work with my writing, honestly!
But I came up against a little barrier, and wanted to get your feedback on it.
In my WIP, as it is based on a Sikh family, to make it authentic, there are certain words or phrases that have to be written in the lingo Punjabi to make sense, if you know what I mean.
My dilemma is this,
a) do I write the word/phrase in Punjabi and then the translation in brackets after?
b) do I include a glossary, which means flicking back and forth to see what something means?
Or
c) do I have little footnote translations at the bottom of the page?
I like the brackets idea because it is kinda straight away, but worry that it would ruin the flow of the text or speech.
The glossary is fine in a physical book but on an e-reader, it would be more annoying to flit back and forth
And the last idea, I could just about format a book to include this, but I think an e-book would be a nightmare, as if you adjust the font to your personal choice, the footnotes wouldn’t sit on the right pages!
There are some words that are repeated many times so once they were introduced, I would hope that the reader got the translation, but there are some that will only be used once or twice…
All feedback gratefully received!
But I Smile Anyway... 
Aug 03, 2017 @ 04:33:45
As a reader, I’d say brackets the first time you introduce the word and a glossary of terms just for the sake of completeness. 🙂
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Aug 03, 2017 @ 07:41:27
I think this is what I’ll do Nandini. Thank you!
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Aug 02, 2017 @ 15:15:36
I’m okay with foot notes.
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Aug 02, 2017 @ 15:23:16
Thanks hun x
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Aug 02, 2017 @ 14:24:19
This is a really tricky one Sis. My first thought was bracketss, but I think perhaps only the once and hope that the reader remembers it. Then do a glossary at the end 🙂 xx
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Aug 02, 2017 @ 14:47:22
This is what I think I have decided on too sis. I have been through what I already wrote to see whether there were any bits I could use English with instead, or whether the context actually conveyed the meaning.
Gosh this writing malarkey isn’t easy at all!
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Aug 02, 2017 @ 19:37:40
I know Sis. Tell me about it. I wrote my manuscript a while ago as you know but still haven’t got around to working on it again.
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Aug 02, 2017 @ 20:25:38
We’ll both get there sis!
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Aug 02, 2017 @ 20:28:40
🤞🤞🤞
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Aug 02, 2017 @ 06:41:43
I’d prefer the brackets. To me, the flow is kept up better because I don’t have to look for the translation! And in addition to it, it is easier to do for you too!
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Aug 02, 2017 @ 07:23:47
Thank you sis. It seems to be the most popular choice!
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Aug 02, 2017 @ 13:26:39
I think everybody appreciates when they don’t need to see where the translation is… lol! Lucky you 😉
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Aug 02, 2017 @ 13:30:45
Lol! Oh I’m having fun with thus!
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Aug 02, 2017 @ 13:34:23
I can feel it totally, sis 😄
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Aug 01, 2017 @ 21:32:13
I like the idea of letting the context help readers figure the word out. I mean it happens in English books all the time when we (okay I) don’t know all the words. Or maybe if the word is hard in the context have someone else say it in English. If not I think the ( ) are the way to go on the e-book.
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Aug 01, 2017 @ 21:35:57
Thank you lovely! I shall experiment with a few of the suggestions and see what lays out the best!
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Aug 01, 2017 @ 19:48:01
Rintu, brackets might work but I would go with the flow. Introduce the Punjabi word and let the context or response explain the meaning to the readers. You may add a glossary if you like but does not work well with a e-reader.
Balle Balle.
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Aug 01, 2017 @ 19:52:18
Thank you for that! I shall experiment with all avenues! 😊
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Aug 01, 2017 @ 18:59:49
Hmmm… If you can convey the meaning of the punjabi word or phrase through the context of the text, try to do that, and if not, use brackets to translate for the first time only – kind of like when using acronyms? And remember you can always write mostly in English but still using the inherent rhythm and cadence of Punjabi to give a realistic flavour and feel of how the language works – I’ve read books written that way and it can be quite effective. The reader soon picks up on the particular patterns of speech and it can flow nicely in our heads when we read 🙂 x
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Aug 01, 2017 @ 19:16:35
Yes I’m trying that too Ruth! It’s just some words give it that ‘flavour ‘ and authenticity! 🤗
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Aug 01, 2017 @ 19:19:06
Absolutely – looking forward to reading the finished manuscript! 🙂
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Aug 01, 2017 @ 19:41:53
Here’s hoping it’s sooner rather than later then!!!
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Aug 01, 2017 @ 18:26:30
Personally Ritu, I would go with the brackets. Much easier for a reader. I often do this with business jargon in my non-fiction books.
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Aug 01, 2017 @ 18:27:07
Thank you Robbie! That’s what I have done so far! Xx
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Aug 01, 2017 @ 18:22:28
Anything but the glossary. I wouldn’t flip back and forth to figure out a word, I’d probably just skip it and move on…the more immediate translation works better for me.
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Aug 01, 2017 @ 18:26:41
Thank you! I think that us the main consensus . I may include a glossary too though for us anyone wants to find all the words at once! Xx
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Aug 01, 2017 @ 17:45:36
As a reader I’d ideally like the meaning to be clear from the context. However, I realise that might not always be possible, so I suggest Punjabi words in italics followed by translation in normal text in brackets. If you’re going to use beta readers, and you’re giving them a list of things to give feedback on, you might find it useful to add a question about this to your list.
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Aug 01, 2017 @ 17:55:46
Wendy at the moment that is exactly how I have it when a word is first mentioned. I will still put a glossary at the back . But definitely something for beta readers to feed back on!
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Aug 01, 2017 @ 17:42:08
Brackets 🙂
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Aug 01, 2017 @ 17:54:07
Short n sweet! Thanks!
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Aug 01, 2017 @ 18:32:11
🙂
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Aug 01, 2017 @ 18:40:54
Well, I did not want to write a whole paragraph about brackets so I thought one word was enough hahahahahaha….
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Aug 01, 2017 @ 18:44:37
Lol! Fair enough! 😂
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Aug 01, 2017 @ 19:19:00
😉 hehehehehe
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Aug 01, 2017 @ 17:19:22
What did you decide? I like the idea of translation in brackets!
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Aug 01, 2017 @ 17:37:49
I’m gonna have a play around. If it makes sense in the context of the conversation and is one or two words, I may test it on a few people and leave it! But an important phrase I may translate! I like the ideas I’ve been given!
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Aug 01, 2017 @ 22:18:48
Makes a lot of sense to me. I think I do that as well ! 🙂
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Aug 01, 2017 @ 22:27:57
😉
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Aug 01, 2017 @ 17:17:01
In my book Salisbury Sq one of the 2 MCs is Polish. Whenever i had pole to pole conversations wrote the first srntence in Polish so it was clear and expected. I never translated and no one complained as the context told them all they needed to know. Equally what they said was simple stuff. Aftet that first sentence the rest was English. People got it.
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Aug 01, 2017 @ 17:35:08
Thanks His Geoffleship! I think if it’s a word or two I should get away with it!!!
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Aug 01, 2017 @ 17:03:36
I’m going with D. Wallace Peach here. Just write the Sikh, let the reactions of the other characters put the meaning across.
If you’re really worried, put a glossary of words used at the front of the book.
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Aug 01, 2017 @ 17:04:42
Thank you!
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Aug 01, 2017 @ 16:47:11
I would definitely go with brackets, I love brackets, they are the immediate answer. 🤗
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Aug 01, 2017 @ 16:59:55
🤗 thanks sis!
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Aug 01, 2017 @ 17:03:15
💜💜💜
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Aug 01, 2017 @ 16:45:59
Oooh. I’m going to be different than everyone, Ritu. I don’t like it when an author intrudes in my reading experience. As a fantasy author, I often make up completely imaginary languages. The way I handle it is to keep the unfamiliar language as short as possible – never more than a sentence or two and preferably much shorter. Then I building the meaning through a combination of the context and the pov’s character’s thoughts and reaction to it. Harder to do, but worth it, I think. An appendix is fine as a backup, but I would convey the meaning through the story. 😀
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Aug 01, 2017 @ 16:59:43
I used italics for the Punjabi words. There aren’t too many to be fair. I’ll look into seeing if they can work without any translation. There will be one or two phrases that need translation though!!
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Aug 01, 2017 @ 17:15:26
You can always have the pov character sort of repeat/paraphrase the words in his head. Something like:
He mused over the words his mother had said long ago, that life was (English version here). When Sarah faced him, he looked her in the eye and whispered, “(insert original phrase here in the original language).”
It’s a bit contrived, but better than brackets as the reader doesn’t leave the story. Good luck, whatever you decide!
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Aug 01, 2017 @ 17:33:59
Thank you!!!!!
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Aug 01, 2017 @ 15:42:59
I would go with either options B or C.
Aesthetically all 3 options are possible, but B and or C are used more frequently. 🌷🌷🌷
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Aug 01, 2017 @ 15:48:41
Ooh Dorna, you threw the opinions all out of kilter!
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Aug 02, 2017 @ 18:52:27
Also, wanted to mention, keep in mind ur Target Audience. Who are they and what will They already be familiar with about the substance of ur story. 🌷🌷🌷
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Aug 02, 2017 @ 19:24:24
Yes that is something to consider.
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Aug 02, 2017 @ 19:25:36
I’d like to think that there will be those with a similar background to me who would understand the language but also many non Asians for whom it will be an insight into British Asian culture xxx
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Aug 01, 2017 @ 15:39:48
Ritu, my feeling for what it’s worth is put the translation in brackets the first time, and hope people remember. Would a glossary at the back be too boring and difficult? It might be helpful for people who are dipping in and out, and who won’t necessarily remember the meaning after a gap in their reading.
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Aug 01, 2017 @ 15:47:39
That is a good thought! So a glossary as refrence anyway, but the brackets at the first mention of a word or phrase!
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Aug 01, 2017 @ 15:37:32
I say brackets. Write the Sikh sentence first then in brackets the English translation. My book is kind of similar because I use words in Spanish or Spanglish (mixing up Spanish and English). I’ve done this also: The curandera or the natural healer began using her magic herbs to cure Letty.
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Aug 01, 2017 @ 15:46:44
Thanks Lisa, I am definitely leaning towards this option!
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Aug 01, 2017 @ 15:36:58
I’d go with asterisks where necessary and a glossary at the bottom of the post. Any help?
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Aug 01, 2017 @ 15:45:40
It’s not for a post, but for my book… If it was just going to be available in print then I would do the footnotes, but I think it would play havoc with formatting an e-book!
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Aug 01, 2017 @ 15:52:38
Ah, sorry. Misunderstood. Obviously I’m more tired than I thought!
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Aug 01, 2017 @ 15:59:36
Bless you!
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Aug 01, 2017 @ 15:36:38
I like the brackets because it’s “there”! I very often run into terminology differences re UK and NA and always put them together so as to avoid the reader having to go elsewhere. Reading should be easy!
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Aug 01, 2017 @ 15:44:44
I like your thinking Colin!
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Aug 01, 2017 @ 15:46:38
So do I! He! He! He! It’s just as well because I have to live with it! 🙂
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Aug 01, 2017 @ 15:48:54
Lol!
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Aug 01, 2017 @ 15:50:21
🙂
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Aug 01, 2017 @ 15:27:18
Good morning, Ritu. I think brackets would be just fine because for readers like myself who don’t speak the language, we wouldn’t be able to discern a flow of speech in the first place, and for those who do, the mind tends to skip over unnecessary info like a bracketed translation, so they would still be naturally reading it as intended. I look forward to reading!
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Aug 01, 2017 @ 15:34:08
Thank you ! That is what I was considering!
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Aug 01, 2017 @ 15:26:19
I’d say use the bracket method, but only the first time you introduce a word or phrase needing translation. After that, no bracket for the next time the word or phrase is used. The reader should know it after the first translation and then the flow of the prose can continue unimpeded. Now, I’m not a writer. But, as a reader, I think that’d work better than a glossary or footnote.
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Aug 01, 2017 @ 15:33:44
Thank you! That is what I thought!
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Aug 01, 2017 @ 16:02:08
This would work but I think if a book was written in this way a glossary would also be needed. for example I have a habit of starting a book, putting it down for a few days and then going back to it. if I then came across a word i remembered seeing before but couldn’t remember the translation a glossary of some sort would be of more help then trying to flick through pages trying to find the first time the word was used.
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Aug 01, 2017 @ 16:19:00
You’re the second to say the brackets, and a glossary too!
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Aug 01, 2017 @ 16:53:34
That’s coming from a readers ipinion, of course, not from a writers point of view. 😃
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Aug 01, 2017 @ 17:00:27
The readers are what make us writers!!!
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Aug 01, 2017 @ 17:09:00
Hahaha! Yeah, I suppose that’s true. 😃
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Aug 01, 2017 @ 15:25:10
I’d suggest writing the first sentence or phrase in English, and note after the comma that it was said in Sikh. For example:
“I got us Rockies tickets for Saturday,” she said in Sikh. “You can buy dinner.”
This way, with minimal effort, it’s clear what was said, and it’s translated, so the reader can just keep moving.
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Aug 01, 2017 @ 15:33:11
I think that would work for some bits but for others, the authenticity needs certain words in there! (and I’d be teaching you all a whole new language!
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Aug 01, 2017 @ 15:23:48
I’d go with the brackets. Flipping back and forth for translation would definitely affect the flow of the book
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Aug 01, 2017 @ 15:32:00
Thanks Dorinda! I was veering towards that!
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Aug 01, 2017 @ 15:20:59
Brackets
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