Bi-lingualism As It Relates To Writing - Page 4 - Writers Forum

lin · 09-17-2008, 11:34 PM

So does being bi-sexual make it easier to have hetero sex. (Or homo, for that matter?)

Tiamat10 · 09-18-2008, 08:53 AM

Try it and find out.

lin · 09-18-2008, 11:56 AM

I get confused by the sin tax

WriterDude · 09-18-2008, 12:20 PM

I'm from Norway and speak norwegian as my first language, but I'm pretty good at english as well. I think some things work best in norwegian, and some things work best in english. As I speak both languages, I can use whatever language I want for the situation. If I need to write english, I can often first translate some of it to norwegian and then translate it back to english for a different result. The words mean the same, but they can sound better if I do it like this. So yeah, I think speaking two or more languages can make you use either language a lot more than if you only spoke one.

HarryG · 09-18-2008, 03:31 PM

On further reflection, isn't it true that most of our recent, best writers know more than one language? In fact, don't all of them know more than one language? I think that's what Malone was asking with his original post.

On the other hand, with globalisation and worldwide internet use, we must all have some knowledge of other languages, it's inevitable – but I must admit that I falter when it comes to Arabic and Chinese, although I would love to be able to speak both, and all their derivatives.

I still wonder why the Esperanto initiative failed, perhaps a language that crosses too many borders is impossible to learn. And how could you text in Chinese?

HarryG · 09-18-2008, 04:14 PM

OK, I faltered again when I omitted the most obvious example of a writer who is bilingual. I faltered because I was afraid of the wrath from a fiery lady member from south-west Scotland, who has ticked me off before when I mentioned the name that she despises. So I won't, coward that I am.

The bilingual writer is a billionairess, well, that didn't get past the spell check, who is the most successful writer of the past decade. Born in Scotland, educated in Devon, a single mother, who is fluent in Portuguese, a perfect example to reply to Malone's question.

Therefore, I must come to the conclusion that bilingualism is a great help for a writer.

Ilasir Maroa · 09-18-2008, 06:05 PM

It's always nice to have anecdotal eveidence, ain't it? No, they can't be a good writer because they're good with english, or creative, or full of good ideas... it must be because they're bilingual.

HarryG · 09-18-2008, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ilasir Maroa

It's always nice to have anecdotal eveidence, ain't it? No, they can't be a good writer because they're good with english, or creative, or full of good ideas... it must be because they're bilingual.

I didn't say that, and 'ain't it' doesn't become you. You write well, and I'm not appeasing, but if you're praising writing in just one language, how come you know enough about Latin to latinate?

JK Rowling is the best writer Scotland has ever produced, 'My love is like a red, red rose' doesn't come anywhere close, and nor does Burns. Ian Rankin isn't bad, the drug man, I can't think of his name, writes brilliantly, but they're not in the same league as that bilingual single mother who set the world on fire with Harry Potter.

Have you got green eyes? I'm not being personal, and I'm sure you know what I mean.

Ilasir Maroa · 09-18-2008, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryG

I didn't say that, and 'ain't it' doesn't become you. You write well, and I'm not appeasing, but if you're praising writing in just one language, how come you know enough about Latin to latinate?

JK Rowling is the best writer Scotland has ever produced, 'My love is like a red, red rose' doesn't come anywhere close, and nor does Burns. Ian Rankin isn't bad, the drug man, I can't think of his name, writes brilliantly, but they're not in the same league as that bilingual single mother who set the world on fire with Harry Potter.

Have you got green eyes? I'm not being personal, and I'm sure you know what I mean.

Green eyes? 'fraid not.

But it's always well to be wary of correlations. There's nothing about bilingualism to make anyone any worse of a writer; it certainly can't hurt.

I can't in all conscience say Harry Potter is the poster boy of the effect of bilingualism on an author. It was quite a powerful feat, and a very entertaining story, but not exactly what I'd call the deftest use of the English language. Very impressive commercial fiction, though, especially considering her circumstances.

I'm not sure if you were suggesting that I was praising one language above others, but just to be safe, I wasn't. There's nothing to make a book written in English inherently better than something writen in another language.

By the same token, I don't believe that being bilingual makes someone an inherently better writer.

If you feel I've misunderstood someone's comment, I'll be happy to give things another look.

HarryG · 09-20-2008, 04:20 PM

I understand what you're saying and maybe a correction is due, on my part, maybe off-topic.

Two months ago, I, foolishly (on reflection) volunteered to read the latest Harry Potter to my youngest grandson (aged five).

For two weeks, we had an hourly session each evening, and as his enthusiasm increased, mine waned. I thought I had got into the mind of the author during my slow and deliberate reading, and I realised, or thought I did, that I was reading something that was nothing all that special, but my grandson's shining eyes persuaded me otherwise.

I foolishly imagined that I could have done better, writing-wise, and maybe I could, but story-telling-wise, I was in another country.

I need to go back to my original thoughts, I can't think of one (famous) writer who at least didn't have a working knowledge of a foreign language. I had two years of Latin, and I don't think it harmed me, and St Andrews still didn't want me.

Tiamat10 · 09-20-2008, 05:32 PM

Pig latin, baby. All the cool writers are doing it.

Ilasir Maroa · 09-20-2008, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryG

I understand what you're saying and maybe a correction is due, on my part, maybe off-topic.

Two months ago, I, foolishly (on reflection) volunteered to read the latest Harry Potter to my youngest grandson (aged five).

For two weeks, we had an hourly session each evening, and as his enthusiasm increased, mine waned. I thought I had got into the mind of the author during my slow and deliberate reading, and I realised, or thought I did, that I was reading something that was nothing all that special, but my grandson's shining eyes persuaded me otherwise.

I foolishly imagined that I could have done better, writing-wise, and maybe I could, but story-telling-wise, I was in another country.

I need to go back to my original thoughts, I can't think of one (famous) writer who at least didn't have a working knowledge of a foreign language. I had two years of Latin, and I don't think it harmed me, and St Andrews still didn't want me.

Well, it's important to consider that in the past days of "famous" writers, learning another language or three was very much a sign of intellect and accomplishment. But I shouldn't judge. I've taken five years of Latin, and I plan to indulge myself in many more languages as time goes on.