Should all non-English words and phrases that may have been part of a family's background be eliminated from a memoir text? If not, how can the writer handle the foreign words? Foreign words in life stories are a rich addition because they recreate the sound of a world that was once the writer's.
That's what we are all doing with our writing: celebrating a world that no longer exists.
Many a family story would be impoverished by eliminating words that had once sounded in a family-words such as Mémère for Grandmother.
These and many other "foreign" (to some people but not to the memoirist) words in a text give us the flavor of the home and community the writer grew up in.
By turning foreign words into common English words, the writer would be creating a duller, homogenized story.
One way to make sure that all foreign words are understood is to do any of the following: 1.
Include a translation in parenthesis immediately after you have used the word--e.
g.
placek (a sweet Polish bread).
2.
Paraphrase the word or phrase right away-e.
g.
"'Arrête!" she said.
"Stop!'" 3.
Provide a translation in a note at the end of your book or at the bottom of the page.
This is slightly less fluid but foot notes and end notes do not irritate your readers if you feel the majority of them will understand the word in the original.
Remember: italicize all non-English words (except place names, personal names, or foreign words that are now accepted terms in English, such as "matinee," "facade" or "pizza").
Make your memoir as colorful and interesting as the life that was lived.
Good luck with your writing,