Writing dialogue for a non-English speaker in English?
I am writing a story that features an illiterate Indian woman. Of course, while there are things only Hindi can satisfactorily express, I was wondering what would be a good way to construct dialogues for someone like that- an illiterate woman in her forties, world weary.
(Just finished reading the Mayor of Casterbridge. Not sure if I could pick up much from there though.)
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Your best bet is research. Find a "Little India" community, wander around, and listen. Sit at a corner coffeeshop for a few days. Walk through the retail area. Don't stalk people, but pay attention to who is speaking and what they're saying.
You may get just a lot of Hindi, but if you're in an English-speaking city, you're bound to find someone speaking in broken English.
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