Not sure whether this is the right board to post this thread... so feel free to move it.
In my WIP, Scotland 1689, my lead character has seen the world and is of higher education, although not a chief/lord. Is he allowed to swear and if yes, what would he say?
See, I had him curse (mildly) but a Scottish friend (lover of historical novels and master of English) told me that he would not have used swear words. I'm confused because I think that swearing and men go together. Also, most of the knowledge we have is from written material, writers like us writing stories and publishing them. Does Shakespear represent the language of the people of his time? Yes, to a certain extent, but I think the assumption is fair that not all of the writing represents authentic speech.
Imagine this, the f-word is tabooed since 13th century. Why would you need something to taboo if it's not used? Would a 17th C gentleman have said to his opponent he is crossing swords with, "Dear Sir, would you please kindly consider to move and to surrender your sword?" or would he have said, "you fsob..." or something in between?
A bigger challenge even is to find authentic swearing in the Gaelic community. Because of the Presbyterian and Free Church, swearing is a nono. However, 300 years ago, things might have been mighty different. Gaelic has her fair amount of swear and cuss words, no doubt about that.
Do you think a king swears when in private? You see, I think he does, because swearing is human.
What's your pitch and recommendation?
In my WIP, Scotland 1689, my lead character has seen the world and is of higher education, although not a chief/lord. Is he allowed to swear and if yes, what would he say?
See, I had him curse (mildly) but a Scottish friend (lover of historical novels and master of English) told me that he would not have used swear words. I'm confused because I think that swearing and men go together. Also, most of the knowledge we have is from written material, writers like us writing stories and publishing them. Does Shakespear represent the language of the people of his time? Yes, to a certain extent, but I think the assumption is fair that not all of the writing represents authentic speech.
Imagine this, the f-word is tabooed since 13th century. Why would you need something to taboo if it's not used? Would a 17th C gentleman have said to his opponent he is crossing swords with, "Dear Sir, would you please kindly consider to move and to surrender your sword?" or would he have said, "you fsob..." or something in between?
A bigger challenge even is to find authentic swearing in the Gaelic community. Because of the Presbyterian and Free Church, swearing is a nono. However, 300 years ago, things might have been mighty different. Gaelic has her fair amount of swear and cuss words, no doubt about that.
Do you think a king swears when in private? You see, I think he does, because swearing is human.
What's your pitch and recommendation?
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