But I do understand your problem with tone. There are a few really well-done AUs out there, and some of them adopt the period style and some of them don't, but regardless of the choice, you're always aware that the author had to make that decision. In fact, that's the problem with period fiction of any kind, whether you're attempting to set something in the past or if you're reading something written in the past. My intro US History teacher spent the longest time trying to help us understand that euphemisms change over time and that the things left unsaid in turn-of-the-century literature were often more important than what was obvious. (She threw fits over our reading of "Sister Carrie," and it was only on a second, much later reading that the lightbulb came on.)
But, in all honesty, if I was really to consider the implications of writing this kind of AU, it would remind me too much of my collegiate thesis work (early 19th century comportment and its impact on democracy?!) and I would run screaming. But the idea is fun.
My intro US History teacher spent the longest time trying to help us understand that euphemisms change over time and that the things left unsaid in turn-of-the-century literature were often more important than what was obvious.
Oh, how I sympathize with her! The extent to which this sort of thing has to be taught hit home most forcibly when I taught Pride and Prejudice last year to 1st and 2nd year students. You forget, once you become so familiar with a particular idiom, how carefully it does need to be read when it's not familiar. And on top of having difficulty with how the language was conveying meaning, most of the students were at sea with the historical references, too; I spent the better part of an hour explaining the British class system in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Oh well!
But then it's yet another step to go from knowing how to read a particular tone or idiom to being able to mimic it in writing. That's not at all something I think I'd be very good at, though I admire those who can do it well.
But the idea is fun.
Oh, indeed!!! And yes, we're definitely geeks. Isn't it grand! :D
But then it's yet another step to go from knowing how to read a particular tone or idiom to being able to mimic it in writing.
I've never actually tried to do that. My fanfic is all set in linguistically-present times, and I try to create new idiomatic language in my original fiction (which is invariably set in some sort of alternate universe/future setting primarily so I can play with the language). But actually adopting something from another time and using it adequately? The research time alone would be overwhelming . . .
And yes, we're definitely geeks. Isn't it grand! :D
But I do understand your problem with tone. There are a few really well-done AUs out there, and some of them adopt the period style and some of them don't, but regardless of the choice, you're always aware that the author had to make that decision. In fact, that's the problem with period fiction of any kind, whether you're attempting to set something in the past or if you're reading something written in the past. My intro US History teacher spent the longest time trying to help us understand that euphemisms change over time and that the things left unsaid in turn-of-the-century literature were often more important than what was obvious. (She threw fits over our reading of "Sister Carrie," and it was only on a second, much later reading that the lightbulb came on.)
But, in all honesty, if I was really to consider the implications of writing this kind of AU, it would remind me too much of my collegiate thesis work (early 19th century comportment and its impact on democracy?!) and I would run screaming. But the idea is fun.
Um, Isa? We're geeks. ::grin::
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Oh, how I sympathize with her! The extent to which this sort of thing has to be taught hit home most forcibly when I taught Pride and Prejudice last year to 1st and 2nd year students. You forget, once you become so familiar with a particular idiom, how carefully it does need to be read when it's not familiar. And on top of having difficulty with how the language was conveying meaning, most of the students were at sea with the historical references, too; I spent the better part of an hour explaining the British class system in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Oh well!
But then it's yet another step to go from knowing how to read a particular tone or idiom to being able to mimic it in writing. That's not at all something I think I'd be very good at, though I admire those who can do it well.
But the idea is fun.
Oh, indeed!!! And yes, we're definitely geeks. Isn't it grand! :D
Reply
I've never actually tried to do that. My fanfic is all set in linguistically-present times, and I try to create new idiomatic language in my original fiction (which is invariably set in some sort of alternate universe/future setting primarily so I can play with the language). But actually adopting something from another time and using it adequately? The research time alone would be overwhelming . . .
And yes, we're definitely geeks. Isn't it grand! :D
There ain't nothing better!
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