Personally, I only speak English. The largest extent of writing in other languages for me would be giving characters lines of dialogue in their own languages, although I don’t even do that frequently. However, tons of people on the forums come from very different parts of the world and speak a wide variety of languages. With that in mind, let’s talk about writing in different languages.
What languages have you written in? How well do you know those languages?
Do you like to read books written in other languages?
Do you have a favorite language to write in?
Which language have you written the most in?
What challenges have you faced when trying to write in another language?
What benefits have you found when trying to write in another language?
Do you prefer writing entirely in another language, or using multiple languages across the book, such as writing dialogue in another language?
Do you think that writing in a language other than your native one is a good way to help learn more of that language?
I’ve written in my first language and English, since I’m pretty fluent in both. There are times where I’ve had to write in German, but only for school since I don’t know it that well.
If I understand the language, then yes. I think it’s fun to read in different languages, plus you improve on your vocabulary.
I guess English? My language doesn’t really have a wide variety of words.
English, I mostly write online so they won’t understand me if I wrote in my language.
There were times when I couldn’t find a suitable word, or when I couldn’t find a way to write a sentence.
You learn a lot more words and even get better at its grammar.
I write in English most of the time, so I guess that counts as another language. I’d probably include dialogue in more languages, but when reading most of the time I find it confusing if there’s no translation.
Of course! My german teacher made us write so many essays throughout the school year, and I’ve learnt so much from it.
now I wanna paste these questions on your question thread because I’m out of things to ask
Swedish, English and French. Swedish is my native language, I know English fairly well… My French is not that good but I’ve written some essays for school in French.
Yes! I prefer reading books originally written in English in English.
I mean… I’m better at writing in Swedish. English has more synonyms but I don’t know all the expressions and sayings that well.
Swedish!
Not being able to directly translate what I would like to say.
Learning more of that language.
I haven’t written anything with 50/50 of two languages
Serbian of course, English and German. I had to write some essays in German and I was good but now I don’t remember a thing…
Yes! But I only understand English sooo
English!
Serbian. just because of school but I’m somehow not creative when I’m writing in Serbian. I would stress sooo much about our essays because I didn’t know how to write.
Getting better and learning more!
Not being able to find the right words.
I haven’t written anything that way but I think it’s good. I like reading books that are like that even if it gets confusing because you constantly have to check what everything means! I would like to try it though!
Usually Dutch and English, but for school I had to write some essays in German and French as well.
Only if I understand the language I’m reading. I’m not that profecient in German , but I had to do a book report for my German class once which required me to read a German book. The book ended up being fairly interesting, but I often had to look up certain words and phrases in order to know what I was reading. Which really ended up taking my out of the story.
When it comes to storytelling I usually prefer English because the language simply has a bigger vocabulary than the Dutch language. So it comes more in handy whenever I want to describe certain feelings, people and-or objects. Anything school related I prefer in Dutch because that’s my native language therefore I have to think less of what I’m writing down.
Sometimes I want to use a word I know in my native language and apply it to a story I write in English. Only to find out the word I want to use doesn’t really translate well as it doesn’t have a great/no equivalent to it in English.
It helps you understand another language better whilst challenging you to expand your vocabulary.
I’d rather write a book entirely in another language than using multiple languages across the book. Because I’m not really keen on the idea of having to literally tell the reader the translation of words and phrases in order to tell a story.
English, Spanish, and Greek. I’m fluent in both English and Spanish. I can understand Greek and speak it but it takes me a long time to read in Greek because the alphabet is so different.
Not really… I prefer reading in English. Sometimes I read in Spanish, but I don’t like reading books that were originally written in English and translated into Spanish because a lot of the context and idioms get lost in translation.
English.
Both English and Spanish.
Sometimes I can’t remember how to say something in one language but I know it in the other language.
It’s easier to explain certain cultural concepts… like, when writing a story in Spanish that takes place in Mexico, I don’t have to explain or translate customs or festivities.
I don’t mind adding parts of another language to my story as long as I provide the translation for people who don’t speak that language.
Yes, it’s a good way to practice the other language.
Here comes a whole list, Dutch, English, Spanish, and for assignments in school also French and German. The first 3 I know pretty well, the last 2 not
If it’s a book from an English writer, yes I like reading it in English, otherwise not really…
Dutch and English, depending on context
Probably Dutch, but English is up really close
In German and French just vocabulary and grammar, haha. In the other cases there were no challenges
It definitely helps you to learn and understand a language better
Entirely
Yesss, haha, but you need to have a basic knowledge of a language to be able to really write something in that language, so you shouldn’t try it if you don’t know grammar and vocabulary cause it will be a struggle
I definitely have had this issue when trying to read books in other languages! If you’re not good enough at it, it can be really disheartening to spend more time trying to look in dictionaries and grammar guides to understand the context.
I’ve written in English and French for school. English is my first language and I’m pretty much fluent in French. I’ve also had to write in German when I took German lessons and I currently am learning to write in Japanese because I’m learning on Duolingo but wanted to write down the stuff I learn so I remember it easier.
I’ve read a few books in French because I had to for school, but I enjoyed doing it.
Aside from English, French.
English
French - remembering the accents and conjugations
Japanese - there are some characters that are harder to write
I prefer using multiple languages across the book/story. I usually write the main story in English and then if I feel like it, add in a character that speaks a different language.
Definitely. I find that it helps with learning spelling and word order.
But I know who Eric Saade is from Eurovision
