Is Using Dialects in my Writing a Bad Thing?
Just recently I had reason to re-visit a question that has bumped around in my head on previous occasions, namely is it a good or bad thing to make use of local dialects in my writing.
I was reading a very tatty copy of Thomas Hardy’s Under the Greenwood Tree*. Hardy is one of my favourite authors, but it can be a tough gig reading one of his books as they do tend to have some pretty unhappy endings. Fortunately, Under the Greenwood Tree does not fall into that category.
Very early on in the story, Hardy begins to deploy a heavy sprinkling of local Dorset dialect. Given the book was written in the middle of the nineteenth-century, the passing of time has only served to make reading it all the more of a challenge.
At first I found this a bit of a nuisance as I was forced to linger on words in order to work out what was being said, which was easier in some cases than others. But, as the book progressed, I found this got easier as my brain tuned into the dialect and, in the end, I didn’t really mind it at all.
I haven’t made widespread use of local dialects in my own writing, with the exception of my David Good books. These are set in south London during the 1980s and I felt I needed to make some use of the local lingo if I was to give them the right vibe. Even then I heavily scaled things back, since if I had gone all in the books would have been largely incomprehensible to many readers. For a while I kept a close eye on reader reviews to see if people were finding the south London dialect a problem. I did get one or two complaints but, somewhat to my surprise, most people not familiar with the lingo found it easy enough to work out and said it gave the books some added interest. All-in-all then things didn’t work out too badly.
However, I’ve still tended to shy away from this sort of thing for fear it will put readers off. But am I right about that? Should I give myself a bit more freedom here? It’s a tough call and for now I’m playing it safe.
But what do you think, does the use of local dialect put you off reading a book or does it add some welcome extra colour? I’d love to hear what you think and if you have some examples you’d like to share then so much the better.
All the best,
Ben
*This particular edition of the book had an extensive set of notes, including definitions of some, quite frankly, incomprehensible words that I suspect were not generally in use even during Hardy’s time. Some of these were hilariously funny and I thought I’d share one here. How about Borus-snorus, which means outspoken. I really must find an excuse to use that in one of my own stories!
If you’re a fan of crime, mystery or thriller stories then check out these great reads.
I like the use of dialects in writing as long as it isn't forced or unnatural. Go for it!
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STOPI add my own dialects to my writing, but then again... 'Tales' posts are far from a published book.
I'm starting to turn some of my books into audiobooks, which is going to bring a whole new perspective to things!
Are you going to be the narrator? This is the only form of 'book' I ingest now? A bad narrator can wreck it.
A Wake-Up Call: Accountability and Redemption in the Hive Ecosystem
To those who believe their actions on the Hive blockchain go unnoticed, it’s time to confront the truth. The power you think you wield through downvotes, vote farming, and manipulation is an illusion. True strength lies in doing what’s right, not in exploiting systems for personal gain or silencing others out of fear.
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Ask yourself:
Hive deserves better. So do you.
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Addressing the Downvote Issue on Hive: It’s Time for Real Change
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Let’s cut through the noise and address one of the most pressing issues holding Hive back from reaching its full potential: abusive downvotes. The Bipcoin team has consistently exposed the systemic problems that stifle growth on this platform, yet little to no action has been taken. If Hive is to thrive, we must confront these challenges head-on instead of engaging in empty discussions that lead nowhere.
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Blockchain transactions don’t lie. We’ve seen firsthand the shady methods used to game the system—whether it’s creating alt accounts to amplify votes, orchestrating downvote brigades, or hoarding influence without giving back to the network. Why does this behavior continue unchecked? Talk is cheap. Actions speak louder than words, and until concrete steps are taken to address these abuses, Hive will struggle to move forward.
We have repeatedly presented evidence of these practices, not to divide but to demand accountability. The truth is out there for anyone willing to look at the data. Yet, despite our efforts, the cycle persists. Today, we’re asking again: Can we finally talk about the real issues plaguing Hive? And more importantly, can we take decisive action to protect the integrity of this platform?
Do not let bullies destroy what makes Hive special. Abuse of power through downvotes and manipulation harms everyone—creators, curators, and the community as a whole. It’s time to fight back against these toxic practices and create an environment where all voices can be heard and rewarded fairly.
The Bipcoin team remains committed to exposing the truth and advocating for meaningful change. But we can’t do it alone. Together, let’s push for solutions that ensure Hive becomes a place of opportunity, fairness, and growth—for everyone.
Enough talk. Let’s see action.
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Yes, the idea is I will have a go at narrating some of my books. I've done a couple of short stories and got some very positive feedback. However, it's one thing to narrate a few thousand words and something completely different to do an entire novel, so I'm going to sign up for a few sessions with a voice coach. I think getting my books out there in audio is essential as there are more and more people like yourself who now only listen to books rather than read them, which means I'm missing out on sales.
Using dialect shouldn't be a problem if definitions are included to help readers understand difficult words....my opinion 🤔
That's a good idea. I know some of my readers in the US resort to using Google sometimes when they find a word they are not familiar with.