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Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/38603
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/38603
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

## How do I make it clear that my character is narrating the story in a different language from the one she speaks?

You already have the answer. Of course, it's well and good that you say it outright at the start of the book, stating that your protagonist is in a foreign land and even though she does understand the language, she doesn't master it. But throughout the novel,

--\> **sprinkle in more ... reminders** \<--

Do this. Why? Because it's realistic. Make your character ask others to repeat things, make her ponder on the words she hears, make her, occasionally, mistake some common language structure or manner of speaking.

You already said that her dialog will be limited to simple grammar and limited vocabulary, and that's good. If you wish, you may make her grow more accustomed to the foreign language as the book goes on. The essential part is, tho, make her fail now and then. Make her raise an eyebrow when she's not sure she heard it right, and make her tongue slip on certain syllables or sound.

Take inspiration from real languages: an italian speaking english has often an hard time pronouncing "th-" sounds, while an english speaking italian often messes up "gn-" and "gl-" syllables. (To be fair, those are examples I'm drawing from my experience, not at all a valid statistic).

Also, you're right about keeping the narration style different from her limited speaking vocabulary. Making the way she thinks and see the world different from the way she talks will underline the fact that she's not a proficient speaker of the language.

## How often do I need to remind the reader of this throughout the novel?

A more tricky one. The point here is that you don't need to explicitly tell people, "hey, remember when I told you she's in a foreign land?" because if you do the first part right, nobody will forget that.

The idea has to be etched into the very novel so much that everyone accepts it and take it as granted. I'm not a strict fan of the **"show, don't tell"** rule, but this is a case where it safely applies: if you're doing all of the above, you won't need to remind anyone anything from the first chapter onward.

Of course, some readers may forget the whole deal if it isn't the main topic of the novel. But that's expected. Those who have a keener eye for details will like what you are doing.

Original score: 6