One of the key elements of worldbuilding is developing a believable culture. That's why intentionally using dialects, slang, and even names is essential. These elements will bring your story to life. Much like the setting, how people speak can create a sense of your fictional world's culture and the time the story takes place.
If you're reading my serial, The Truth About Sadie Wilkins, you know Sadie lived in the South during the 1970s. Writing her character is easy for me because she (and her way of speaking) are manifestatins of my life experiences. My family moved from Southern California to Greenbrier, Arkansas, in the 1970s. And it was a culture shock that changed me, almost on a cellular level. I had to adjust my way of talking, dressing, and expressing myself to fit in.
You don't have to use life experience in worldbuilding, but if you don't, make sure to do your research. You'll be glad you did when you're writing dialogue and expanding your fictional world.
In this article, I explore how writers use dialect, slang, and names in worldbuilding.
Let Language Set Your Story's Tone
Language is one of the most powerful tools for establishing a fictional world's tone and atmosphere. The way characters speak and the words they use signal to the reader what kind of world they're entering, whether it's a gritty dystopian future, a lush fantasy realm, or a historical setting.
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