About language

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I realize this is more about fantasy literature than SF, but you lot are
the gang I know.

Both fantasy and SF have to create, and maintain, credibly consistent
universes, within certain boundaries. Part of that, it seems to me, is
avoiding anachronisms, or linguistic tags to a certain time, or place. An
Americanism like "No Way!" or other contemporary word structures, are out
of place in times or places other than the here and now.

I get *seriously* irritated by the use of the word "okay" in created
universes where it is simply out of place. The most egregious example is
the movie *Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters. *And yes, it has a lot of
other foolishness in it, but it is a fantasy. But the consistent use of
okay- a 19th century Americanism- is wildly out of place in a medieval
central European setting.

I am currently reading an otherwise excellent fantasy novel- multi layered,
interesting characters, pretty clearly not on this earth, and I have no
idea how it it is going to end- low on the predictability scale, which is
always a good thing. I'm maybe a fourth of the way into the book, and twice
already the word okay has been used. To me this is just sloppy writing.

Or, maybe I'm just an old grouch on the topic.

Any thoughts?

-- 
Charley
Desert Sailor

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<div dir=3D"ltr"><div class=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"font-family:times ne=
w roman,serif;font-size:large">I realize this is more about fantasy literat=
ure than SF, but you lot are the gang I know.</div><div class=3D"gmail_defa=
ult" style=3D"font-family:times new roman,serif;font-size:large"><br></div>=
<div class=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"font-family:times new roman,serif;fon=
t-size:large">Both fantasy and SF have to create, and maintain, credibly co=
nsistent universes, within certain boundaries. Part of that, it seems to me=
, is avoiding anachronisms, or linguistic tags to a certain time, or place.=
 An Americanism like &quot;No Way!&quot; or other contemporary word structu=
res, are out of place in times or places other than the here and now.</div>=
<div class=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"font-family:times new roman,serif;fon=
t-size:large"><br></div><div class=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"font-family:t=
imes new roman,serif;font-size:large">I get <i>seriously</i>=C2=A0irritated=
 by the use of the word &quot;okay&quot; in created universes where it is s=
imply out of place. The most egregious example is the movie <i>Hansel and G=
retel: Witch Hunters. </i>And yes, it has a lot of other foolishness in it,=
 but it is a fantasy. But the consistent use of okay- a 19th century Americ=
anism- is wildly out of place in a medieval central European setting.=C2=A0=
</div><div class=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"font-family:times new roman,ser=
if;font-size:large"><br></div><div class=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"font-fa=
mily:times new roman,serif;font-size:large">I am currently reading an other=
wise excellent fantasy novel- multi layered, interesting characters, pretty=
 clearly not on this earth, and I have no idea how it it is going to end- l=
ow on the predictability scale, which is always a good thing. I&#39;m maybe=
 a fourth of the way into the book, and twice already the word okay has bee=
n used. To me this is just sloppy writing.</div><div class=3D"gmail_default=
" style=3D"font-family:times new roman,serif;font-size:large"><br></div><di=
v class=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"font-family:times new roman,serif;font-s=
ize:large">Or, maybe I&#39;m just an old grouch on the topic.</div><div cla=
ss=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"font-family:times new roman,serif;font-size:l=
arge"><br></div><div class=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"font-family:times new=
 roman,serif;font-size:large">Any thoughts?</div><div><br></div>-- <br><div=
 class=3D"gmail_signature" data-smartmail=3D"gmail_signature"><div dir=3D"l=
tr"><div><font face=3D"times new roman, serif" size=3D"4">Charley<br>Desert=
 Sailor</font></div></div></div>
</div>

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