Last year, I wrote a short story wherein I made a slightly inappropriate reference to a tribble*.
After I turned in said story, I received an email from someone who had the power to kill the story. She said she wasn’t sure anyone would get the tribble joke.
Now, here’s what went through my head in order of appearance:
1) Who doesn’t know what a tribble is?
2) OMG I hope she doesn’t make me take out that joke. It’s one of the funniest lines in the story.
3) Wait. Seriously? Who’s never heard of a tribble?
I’m fairly certain the majority of Orbit’s readers know exactly what I mean when I mention tribbles. Further, I’d expect anyone out there who doesn’t get the reference would Google it. Those of you who don’t understand both tribble and Google, well, welcome to 2009! We’ve been waiting for you.
Now, to my point. When I write, I tend to expect that most of my readers are reasonably intelligent.** So, if we can assume readers are smart, isn’t it also reasonable to assume that if they don’t know a cultural reference they’ll look it up? Or at worst, ignore it?
But what about foreign phrases or big words? Another word usage issue I’ve been called on is the phrase vagina dentata.*** Now, since phrase isn’t commonly bandied about at the typical water cooler and it’s Latin to boot, I’d assume some people don’t know what it means (see footnote).
But in my mind, this just underlines my point.
Isn’t part of the joy of reading to learn new words, ideas and concepts? To my thinking, it’s not my responsibility to write at an elementary school level. First, my books aren’t for kids. Second, it would be impossible for me to write books appropriate for kids since so many words I use would get their mouths washed out with soap. Or perhaps that’s proof I do write at a childish level, after all. But let’s not get sidetracked by a discussion about my (lack of) maturity.
The point is, I don’t think writers should have to change carefully chosen words just in case someone might have to look it up. And I’m assuming most of you–already avid readers–would resent your favorite authors favoring monosyllabic words for the same reason.
But you know what they say about assumptions … And if you don’t, well, please refer to the aforementioned Google.
P.S. In case you’re wondering, the tribble reference stayed in the story, but was modified to include the phrase “from Star Trek.” This change still bugs me. As for vagina dentata, I changed it to the more colorful “fanged vagina,” which I think we can all agree is a pretty awesome substitution.
*Okay, it was more than slightly inappropriate, but that’s not neither here nor there with regard to the point of this post.
** One could question this supposition on the basis that reading me in the first place brings one’s IQ into question, but that’s a topic for Amazon reviewers to duke out.
***Please Google the term “Star Wars Saarlacc images” to get an idea.
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Sewicked
December 4, 2009
at 8:20 am
Wait! There are people who don’t know what vagina dentata means? What rock have they been hiding under?
Jaye Valentine
December 4, 2009
at 8:28 am
“The point is, I don’t think writers should have to change carefully chosen words just in case someone might have to look it up.”
Amen to that.
And I now have the tune from Disney’s “Hakuna Matata” stuck in my head, so thanks for that.
Jaye Wells
December 4, 2009
at 8:34 am
I love that you’re flabbergasted. It’s not exactly a Monday morning water cooler term, you know?
“So, Bob, how was your weekend?”
“I can’t believe the Steeler’s lost. Those bums. But on the upside I met a hot chick with a wicked vagina dentata.”
See?
SusiSunshine
December 4, 2009
at 8:42 am
I have to agree with you! Okay I’m a trekkie and I so love to read something about it in a book. And really, who didn’t get the vagina dentata! That’s so funny!
LOve this post!
TexasRed
December 4, 2009
at 9:07 am
I’m with you — thought this was part of our cultural knowledge, especially in a SciFi genre writing.
Nicole Peeler
December 4, 2009
at 10:10 am
I have had a lot of readers tell me they liked having their vocabs stretched a bit in my book, and that they enjoyed learning a few new words. I’m assuming the rest just skipped over them.
I think there are those with a love of language and a curiosity about vocabulary, and those that don’t have one. On the one hand, we are authors, wordsmiths. On the other hand, we’re genre writers, writing in a genre that many people read for plot/romance/action, etc.
So I think there IS a balance to be struck . . . that said, my precocious childhood vocabulary was earned by reading “adult” fantasy novels that didn’t assume their readers needed a syllable cap. And I would also like to say that I am glad I publish with a company that doesn’t blink when I use the word, “peripatetic.” That makes me happy.
Gareth
December 4, 2009
at 5:23 pm
I dunno to be honest, part of the thing that has to be remembered is the readership. For example the people who are likely to read your book are going to be immersed in the Sci-Fi Culture, hence both references would have been picked up on quite easily. Nicole had a lot of similar sort of in jokes for those who know thier films and of a certain age.
I suppose that perhaps in case of future novels a glossary to explain the jokes for those who don’t get them could be added to avoid the editing of the text.
Susan at Stony River
December 4, 2009
at 5:48 pm
That’s surprising all right, unless the potential story-killer was fifteen years old and had never before encountered science fiction.
Sure, it could happen I guess.
Meanwhile, I love a bit of vocabulary-stretching and occasional Latin. If I wanted to read at middle-grade level I’d be reading middle-grade books.
Loved your post.
Rachel Aaron
December 5, 2009
at 7:26 am
I love it when writers just make references without explaining them because, if I don’t get it, I either look it up or get on with my reading, but if I DO get the reference, I feel cooler than cool. It’s like the author is talking straight to me, and it creates an instant connection that’s one of the best feelings in fiction.
The “I’ve been sick so here are some interesting links” Link List – Grasping for the Wind
December 5, 2009
at 11:36 am
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