Re: [wolfrunners] Languages & SF/F (fwd)

I'm not entirely convinced that her names *were* well-constructed, but
her other points are probably true.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Sat, 19 Aug 2000 02:14:45 EDT
From: CFVici@aol.com
To: wolfrunners@egroups.com
Subject: Re: [wolfrunners] Languages & SF/F

In a message dated 8/18/2000 9:35:07 PM Pacific Daylight Time,
requiescat@bigfoot.com writes:

<< someone wondered why sf writers don't use
 constructed/extrapolated languages more often in their works (though the
 question applies to fantasy, too).  You know--future versions of major
 languages today, or creolized variants, word-borrowings, etc. >>

Anyone ever read Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn? Sure, Mark Twain got away
with that sort of language play, but he's not competing in today's market.

I think I have a pretty good background in languages myself (two years each
Latin, Spanish, and French). However, Americans on the whole are generally
ignorant/intolerant of other languages. I'm talking here about *real* modern
foreign languages. If we (generic) hold real languages in this sort of
"contempt", it is reasoned, then extrapolated or concocted ones can only
annoy us (generic) more. It may not even BE true in practice, but if the
publishers PERCEIVE it true and act accordingly, the effect is the same. SFF
writers are limited by "the market".

I felt this very acutely when I was at the Writer's Conference and the editor
that had the first ten pages of my manuscript had a problem with nearly every
word I made up. How is "Botlop" a difficult name for a character? Does anyone
really stumble over reading it like they can't figure it out?  What could be
easier than two syllables with simple short vowel sounds and unambiguous
consonants? It doesn't seem hard to pronounce or remember to me.

The same editor also called me to task for giving made-up names to my flora
and fauna. It's like she wanted everything on my made-up world to be just
like Earth. "If a koopchuk is 'somewhat like' a mule, why not just call it a
mule?" GRRR! Because it isn't* a mule!

 Anyway, I think this editor's idea was--- and this is my way of thinking on
your question-- that the average American reader (translation: book buying
CUSTOMER) doesn't want to be much distracted by having to "stumble" over
language. They want the story and nothing but the story. Heaven forbid
readers should have to use their brains too much!

Now maybe if you're Tolkien (or another living writer who's already
established) you can go places with language, but I don't think publishers as
a whole are much interested in anything too risky. I'd be willing to bet that
there are writers out there who've got mss lying in drawers that can't get
published because of issues like this.

Anyhow, that's just a guess.

CFV

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