Wanted to compile a quick list of tips for non-native English speakers out there who are translating dialogue to help create a more natural flow.
While I'll be focused more on American English language and cultural norms, suggestions by any linguistic cousins from across the pond, from the flip side of the Earth or from my neighbors the North are welcomed.
I'll try to keep this list updated for easy reference.
It's =it is/it has
Its = possessive form of 'it'
Mnemonic: "It's good to use an apostrophe except when it's lost its apostrophe" ("It IS good to use an apostrophe except when it HAS lost its apostrophe.")
I'm/He's/She's/They're/You're NEVER unmodified, standalone or at the end of a sentence.
If someone asked you, "Are you happy?", you can answer "I am." but never "I'm."
You can also say either "I am happy" or "I'm happy" (or other contracted pronouns with a modifier) without fear in any circumstances
"Going to" is better than "gonna"
"Gonna" is slang - most people use it a lot when they are young, and may use it in informal situations if they are speaking quickly, but outside of that, "gonna" shouldn't appear in anything remotely formal - boss to employee, adult to child, public speaking or written communications, and it definitely isn't the default. You'll almost never sound like a non-native speaker using "going to" versus "gonna"; the reverse is not true.
"Mr/Ms/Mrs [surname]" is always correct; "Mr/Ms/Mrs [first name}" very rarely, and only in certain circumstances
There are some regional dialects of American English (like the deep South) where "Mister Bob" or "Mrs. Jennifer" or "Miss Rebecca" might be used in certain regions, but overall in English it's more appropriate to use the last name in a formal gender title when addressing someone -- "Mister Smith" or "Mrs. Johnson" or "Miss Gredenko".
"Mom/Mommy/Mother" or "Dad/Daddy/Father" always acceptable to address the person at any age.
"My Mother/My Mom" or "My Father/My Dad" always ok in any description.
"My Mommy" "My Daddy" typically only used by children, rarely by adults.
"Stepmom/Stepmother" or "Stepdad/Stepfather" only when describing a relationship, never when addressing the person.
Calling your mother or father "Mom/Mommy/Mother" or "Dad/Daddy/Father" when speaking with them is typical, but a lot of people will call their Stepmother "Mom" or their Stepfather "Dad", especially if the blood relative version of that same relation is no longer alive or in the picture. But I've never met a single person who calls their Stepmother or Stepfather "Stepmother/Stepmom" or "Stepfather/Stepdad" as if that were either their name or title. It's typically only used when describing the person - "I went lingerie shopping with my Stepmother/Stepmom", but not "Hey, Stepmom/Stepmother-do you want me to help you with that garter belt in the dressing room?".
That's what I've got for now. Hope some of you find it helpful.
Feel free to add your own suggestions below.
While I'll be focused more on American English language and cultural norms, suggestions by any linguistic cousins from across the pond, from the flip side of the Earth or from my neighbors the North are welcomed.
I'll try to keep this list updated for easy reference.
It's =it is/it has
Its = possessive form of 'it'
Mnemonic: "It's good to use an apostrophe except when it's lost its apostrophe" ("It IS good to use an apostrophe except when it HAS lost its apostrophe.")
I'm/He's/She's/They're/You're NEVER unmodified, standalone or at the end of a sentence.
If someone asked you, "Are you happy?", you can answer "I am." but never "I'm."
You can also say either "I am happy" or "I'm happy" (or other contracted pronouns with a modifier) without fear in any circumstances
"Going to" is better than "gonna"
"Gonna" is slang - most people use it a lot when they are young, and may use it in informal situations if they are speaking quickly, but outside of that, "gonna" shouldn't appear in anything remotely formal - boss to employee, adult to child, public speaking or written communications, and it definitely isn't the default. You'll almost never sound like a non-native speaker using "going to" versus "gonna"; the reverse is not true.
"Mr/Ms/Mrs [surname]" is always correct; "Mr/Ms/Mrs [first name}" very rarely, and only in certain circumstances
There are some regional dialects of American English (like the deep South) where "Mister Bob" or "Mrs. Jennifer" or "Miss Rebecca" might be used in certain regions, but overall in English it's more appropriate to use the last name in a formal gender title when addressing someone -- "Mister Smith" or "Mrs. Johnson" or "Miss Gredenko".
"Mom/Mommy/Mother" or "Dad/Daddy/Father" always acceptable to address the person at any age.
"My Mother/My Mom" or "My Father/My Dad" always ok in any description.
"My Mommy" "My Daddy" typically only used by children, rarely by adults.
"Stepmom/Stepmother" or "Stepdad/Stepfather" only when describing a relationship, never when addressing the person.
Calling your mother or father "Mom/Mommy/Mother" or "Dad/Daddy/Father" when speaking with them is typical, but a lot of people will call their Stepmother "Mom" or their Stepfather "Dad", especially if the blood relative version of that same relation is no longer alive or in the picture. But I've never met a single person who calls their Stepmother or Stepfather "Stepmother/Stepmom" or "Stepfather/Stepdad" as if that were either their name or title. It's typically only used when describing the person - "I went lingerie shopping with my Stepmother/Stepmom", but not "Hey, Stepmom/Stepmother-do you want me to help you with that garter belt in the dressing room?".
That's what I've got for now. Hope some of you find it helpful.
Feel free to add your own suggestions below.
