If you're writing a script set in a different country, how much of their language do you use, yet still have English as the primary? Most competitions (I've submitted to) and production companies (assuming) in the US prefer to have the script and dialogue in English, but this is my grandmother's story and I want to be sort of authentic as I can make it. The switching between the language and English seems great but then gets repetitive because I'm basically saying the same thing twice! Thoughts? Suggestions? Thanks. :)
Screenwriting : Language by Emi Sano
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I've written a number of scripts that use languages other than English. However, I always write the dialogue in English with a note next to it that it would actually be spoken in another language. The idea is that it would be translated later for the actor and then played out on the screen either with or without subtitles depending on the situation. But what you see in the script is English. I think it's best to take into account that (assuming you're writing with an aim at it being produced in the US) your reader may not actually speak the language of the country in which your screenplay is set. They want to be able to read all of it and understand what it means.
Generally, you would notate in the script "The following conversation take place entirely in Spanish" or something to that effect. The dialogue should be written in English. Writing both is going to add to your page count, which you do not want.
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I would say there's an exception to this. If it's a word or phrase in the middle of an otherwise English scene, then putting the word or phrase in could make sense.
I just watched 'Cronos' for the first time last night. It takes place in Mexico and features an interesting blend of subtitled Spanish and non-subtitled English (i.e., the spoken English wasn't subtitled in Spanish).
Thank you this helps a lot.
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write it in English but under the Character's Name in Parenthesis (In Spanish) Or if the Character always speaks Spanish, in the initial Character Description simply indicate, (Only Speaks Spanish)....then let the readers read it in English and worry about the Spanish translation later if they option it, or buy it.
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I was told that you write the script in English (or the language of the country your pitching at) and put "(In Spanish)" next to the dialog. This means that the producer/director doesn't need to be 100% fluent in both languages to understand the story. The final shooting script will have the real dialog to be spoken.
thanks Randall, that was very helpful
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You're welcome. The main thing when you are writing a script is not to take the reader out of the story. As few distractions as possible. So for something like that, a quick note in parenthesis keeps the reader moving forward.