STEVE BENTON

Terry's beautiful, colorful, utopic world is perfect; until it is not. https://omni.media/colorful

Many of my characters speak languages other than English. While I try to keep their non-English phrases to a minimum, foreign script can sometimes help to enhance the depth of a character, or even add a bit of humor. The problem is, however, that the reader might not understand what is being said. The phrase needs to be translated. Now, of the many ways to handle a foreign language phrase or comment, here are two examples. "¡Qué tonto! [What a fool!]" This works, but it is stale. It also leads to the writer using this method throughout the book wherever there is a foreign phrase. The question is: Can the bracket method be used to great effect? Absolutely! This method could work well with a detailed conversation between two people, especially where there are other characters who might not understand what is being said, or where the two conversing want to keep their discussion private. Just leave out the foreign words. "[Please forgive me. I have not yet ...