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Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/6586
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/6586
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

Mix and match between all the following methods.

1. **Research.** If you're going to be using a language extensively, then you'll want to have at least an elementary grasp of the words you'll be using. So learn a smattering of the language; understand the words you've written at least at a surface level; also read as much as you can about idioms, social norms, etc., to get the "voice" correct.

2. **Use an expert.** Get translations from somebody qualified. These should be checked and proofread just like the rest of your book (because you _will_ eventually be read by somebody who understands the language). If you can, get the translations looked over by several competent readers. Be sure to ask them if nuances such as phrasing and connotation are what they should be.

3. **Fake it.** Not recommended, but you _can_ fool most of the people most of the time.

4. **Avoid it.** Even if your character speaks, say, Klingon, that doesn't mean that all that Klingon needs to be transcribed. Use a couple of words (ones you know or learn or seek out...), but otherwise, write in the same language and always, and clarify that the speech is translated. `"Today is a good day to die!"` is a lot more effective in prose than writing `"HeghluʹmeH QaQ jajvam!"`. And if your protagonist _doesn't_ understand the language, then why should the reader get "extra" knowledge? Consider: `"The Klingon shouted out something unintelligible; all his fellow warriors looked at him with sudden shock, and began edging away slowly."` We get precisely as much as the character knows, and we don't _want_ to give away extra information to readers who _happen_ to know the right language.

Original score: 14