Actually 'Five ways NFA probably didn't end' is that kind of story that made me think, and I'm a bit irked that timing and work kept me from joining the discussion. Because this kind of story - highly technical and focused on style - is normally not the kind that speaks to me, I think because the structure draws too much of my attention and keeps me from losing myself in the story. I'm interested in finding out why this one worked for me (because it did, it just drew me in) while my general approach to fic is... hm, more escapist, not intellectual. If that makes sense.
It's funny, because that kind of story was not really my thing either, and it's not why I write fanfic--I'm definitely all for the escapism in fandom. Most of my short pieces recently, though, have been on the "intellectual" end of the spectrum, just because it's fun to try them out. That can sometimes lead to getting lost in the intellectual aspects--so while smartening up the style, metaphor, theme, etc, I'm dumbing down the plot, characterizations, etc. ... which is why I'm so pleased to hear it drew you in. It didn't some people, which I completely understand, but I'm so glad it did for you. And thanks!
That's interesting. I wasn't aware that Russian has these nuances too. I studied the language once but only at a rather basic evening-class level; we never got any kind of in-depth look and I've forgotten it all. I don't even remember how they do formal speech, if they do it.
Well, I've never taken Russain; this was just what the Russain prof of my Dostoevsky class kept telling us. In Russain, it's not a completely different form for everything, as you seem to be saying it is in Japanese, but there are a whole set of words and phrases that you would only use with intimates. English has that too--we talk familiarly with friends and more formally with strangers, but in Russain the difference is far greater and much more pronounced. And much more offensive if you use it in the wrong way.
The good thing is that Japanese people are aware of the insanity and cut foreigners a lot of slack.
That IS nice! Some cultures can be so picky about foreigners trying to speak their language. In France, everyone seemed to be laughing at me no matter what language I used.
while Germans have little patience for that and no talent whatsoever to read between the lines. English is somewhere in the middle, I think.
Oh, interesting! Makes me wish I'd made the bank guy in my story talk a different language...He could've spoke Romansch, then no one would have any clue what he's saying.
It's a little wonder communication is possible at all
no subject
It's funny, because that kind of story was not really my thing either, and it's not why I write fanfic--I'm definitely all for the escapism in fandom. Most of my short pieces recently, though, have been on the "intellectual" end of the spectrum, just because it's fun to try them out. That can sometimes lead to getting lost in the intellectual aspects--so while smartening up the style, metaphor, theme, etc, I'm dumbing down the plot, characterizations, etc. ... which is why I'm so pleased to hear it drew you in. It didn't some people, which I completely understand, but I'm so glad it did for you. And thanks!
That's interesting. I wasn't aware that Russian has these nuances too. I studied the language once but only at a rather basic evening-class level; we never got any kind of in-depth look and I've forgotten it all. I don't even remember how they do formal speech, if they do it.
Well, I've never taken Russain; this was just what the Russain prof of my Dostoevsky class kept telling us. In Russain, it's not a completely different form for everything, as you seem to be saying it is in Japanese, but there are a whole set of words and phrases that you would only use with intimates. English has that too--we talk familiarly with friends and more formally with strangers, but in Russain the difference is far greater and much more pronounced. And much more offensive if you use it in the wrong way.
The good thing is that Japanese people are aware of the insanity and cut foreigners a lot of slack.
That IS nice! Some cultures can be so picky about foreigners trying to speak their language. In France, everyone seemed to be laughing at me no matter what language I used.
while Germans have little patience for that and no talent whatsoever to read between the lines. English is somewhere in the middle, I think.
Oh, interesting! Makes me wish I'd made the bank guy in my story talk a different language...He could've spoke Romansch, then no one would have any clue what he's saying.
It's a little wonder communication is possible at all
I always am a little awed by it too.
This discussion is so interesting to me!