As easy as it may appear to write diverse characters in a story, there is much to explore and learn about appropriate representation of the culture and beliefs that essentially mold the protagonist into who they are in the story. No matter the ethnicity, there is much to learn about each race and culture, and to explore about the character. When a writer chooses to create a fictional language, the same will pertain to the protagonist’s cultural background. It’s easy to distinguish diverse characters in a fictional setting by finding their voice and how they react to dilemmas.

Finding the Protagonist’s Voice

What does voice have to do with a protagonist and the language(s) they speak? It’s all about the protagonist’s point of view, the vocabulary they use when interacting with other characters in the story, and their strong beliefs or a sense of purpose. Thinking back on books with diverse characters, they are almost all influenced by their roots or fight against them, as it is their conflict in the story. Understanding their plight is essential to finding the right voice to represent the protagonist and allowing readers to get to know them too as a result. 

Bilingual Characters

Contrary to belief, not all bilingual or even trilingual speakers mix their vocabulary up in every sentence. That’s not to say there aren’t slip-ups; there definitely are. However, that’s common even in their native language. Using English as an example, there are times native speakers will use improper grammar or incomplete thoughts. Dialects vary and should be considered when attempting to write a character from another country and ventures into a completely different world that is intriguing yet nerve-wracking to them. Cultural differences can be a challenge for characters, and watching them attempt to acclimate to a new language or culture can become a strong story arc if it’s the main focus of the plot. 

While a few multilingual speakers tend to forget a word only to know it in a different language, it’s not by choice. Just as mixing up the vocabulary (Spanglish comes to mind) comes naturally to a few speakers because they were raised around the slang, the same can apply to fictional languages created too. However, that detail in and of itself could help add to one of the unique attributes of the character and the languages they speak.

Dos and Don’ts of Representation

Do make sure that as a writer, that there is a broad understanding of the protagonist and the culture they are from. This can range from traditions, morals, and superstitions the protagonist believed in from childhood. Of course, if this is a fictional ethnicity in a fantasy or sci-fi novel, the culture created in the storyline should be mentioned and adapted to the character’s life.

Do the research on the differences between dialects across different regions. Even if the protagonist is from a fairytale land in the story, inspiration is often taken from a specific country in the real world. Interacting with native speakers and getting to know them is a big help to aid in the research being conducted for the story. 

Don’t fall into the stereotypes that are often misrepresented in a character’s culture. Simply because there is slang used in movies or television shows doesn’t mean it accurately represents the character’s background, nor is it appreciated by the actual culture the protagonist is representing.

Don’t rely on Google translate or other translator apps when writing a sentence in another language. Instead, speak to a native speaker of the same ethnicity chosen for the protagonist to represent and get input on the best way to phrase sentences.

Have Fun Getting to Know the Protagonist and the World Around Them

Tackling a protagonist who is from a different background than the writer can be difficult at times, but that’s what makes it fun. Exploring the character is a big part of writing, and it’s a necessary component to driving the plot forward. Listening to their voice throughout the story and learning their quirks adds depth to every action and dialogue that spurs the protagonist. Do they shy away from a fight? Do they express themselves freely or keep to themselves? If they get riled up, do they speak in their first language that others don’t understand? All of these questions can be answered because the writer understands their character and their personality, and chances are if they’re invested in the story, then readers will be too.