: Re: Can non-English-speaking characters use wordplay specific to English? Would it be jarring if in an original (non-translated) story, the characters, who don't speak English in-universe, use "untranslatable"

@Lee1909368

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Would it be jarring if in an original (non-translated) story, the characters, who don't speak English in-universe, use "untranslatable" wordplay/puns that are specific to English?

The only time I'd say "yes, it would be jarring" (as opposed to "no, don't worry about it") is when the difficulty that these characters have in speaking English is a sub-plot, running gag, etc. For them to suddenly use such language would jar the reader and other characters.

You then could then either subvert the "foreigners speak Engrish" trope or move forward the (sub-)plot by having the character explain how they learned this bit of colloquial English.

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