Using ‘Furrin’ Words in Novels

I had a couple of comments which I picked up from recent visitors to my Blog as to why I use foreign names or speech in my writing. There is a very simple reason: authenticity.

My characters are based on a Welsh legend. Now, I could give them ‘ordinary’ names, but when you consider that, for example, the Alpha of the Cŵn Annwn was born in North Wales in the 15th Century, it stands to reason that his name would fit with both the area and the time period. Hence, his name was Gabriel Black, until he accepted his Mate’s modification of his name to Gavril Negrescu.

In comparison, his Mate, Aaleahya, was born a Romany, so her name would reflect her heritage. Other names of the Pack members also reflected their heritage: Bran, the Pack Beta, and Owain Cadwaladr, his co-Beta; Rhys and Taren are Sentinels. Then we have Angharad, the Healer.

Yes, the names may not be the easiest to pronounce, but I felt it would do my characters a disservice to give them modern names. Why would a Welsh character have an modern American style name? It might be easier to pronounce, but would it feel right?

As to the use of foreign speech in the novels, well again, there is an explanation. I remember reading somewhere that the definition of one’s mother tongue is the one used when you hit your finger with a hammer, i.e. the language in which that unexpected swear word erupts.

In “Alpha”, Gavril had to face situations where he is under stress. As he points out when he swears in Welsh, it is the language of his birth. Born in the 15th Century, it would have been the language his parents used. Another character in a later book speaks French as his cradle language. So, when he vows his love for his Mate, it is in the language that comes from his heart. Equally, her response is in Spanish, her own cradle language.

For me, those are the touches that make my characters more ‘human’. Paranormal creatures they may be. Born of legend they may be. They may live longer and they may have abilities which are unknown to humans. But, they live and they love. When tragedy strikes, they mourn. I can but hope that they will come to life for you also.

Book Links

“Bound”, Volume 1 of The Diaries of the Diaries of the Cŵn Annwn
currently free on Kindle Unlimited
Amazon.com $4.99: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016TQFBNY
Amazon.co.uk £3.99: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B016TQFBNY