how do you handle dialogue in period pieces?

Question

I'm writing a story that is set in 1890. My question is, should I have the characters  talk they way they would have then or they way they do now?

We use different words for things now. (example: s.e.x. instead of fornication) And would it ever be acceptable for a Victorian character to say 'ok'?

i see dead squirrels · Accepted Answer

The way they did then.

Just don't fall into the trap of having your characters talk like they are in a Victorian novel, as Victorian novels didn't use things like profanity.

There are  a number of good books on the subject.

Jo · Answer

Of course - you have the dialogue the way it was then.

Wouldn't read well to use today's lanaguage, slang and such for an 1890 piece.  Words have changed meaning.  You do know the word "gay" used to mean cheerful, right?  Not what it means today.  There are lots of words like that - that have changed meaning through the years.  Or new words and things that have come up - like texting, internet, airplane flights around the world, cars, skyscrapers, computers, cell phones, women wearing bikinis, having babies without being married.

You need to research what that era was all about.

skokiesam · Answer

I would use the language that was used back in 1890. It's called being anachronistic if you didn't. If you're not sure if a word was used back then, check m-w.com. Look up your word, and it will tell you when the word was first used.

? · Answer

I don't think during that time they used "okay" often. They'd say "alright" or "I suppose" or something like that because they wanted to be proper and didn't want to step on anyone's toes. Maybe to close friends and family, but I think you should look up the vernacular (common language) of that time to be sure of what they said.

(hope this helps)

how do you handle dialogue in period pieces?

4 Answers