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Writing Fiction in a Foreign Language

 Language Learning Forum : Books, Literature & Reading Post Reply
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Raincrowlee
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 Message 17 of 35
19 November 2008 at 10:33pm | IP Logged 
Well, it wasn't a novel, but Benjamin Franklin wrote his autobiography in French. He served as the American ambassador over there for several years.
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fanatic
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speedmathematics.com
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 Message 18 of 35
20 November 2008 at 2:02am | IP Logged 
Liface wrote:
Do you have any examples of famous writers who published in non-native languages?


The native language of Leslie Charteris, author of the Saint books and many others, was Chinese. His command of English is superior to most modern English authors.
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Alkeides
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 Message 19 of 35
20 November 2008 at 2:08am | IP Logged 
fanatic wrote:
Liface wrote:
Do you have any examples of famous writers who published in non-native languages?


The native language of Leslie Charteris, author of the Saint books and many others, was Chinese. His command of English is superior to most modern English authors.
He had an English mother and was raised in Lancashire, I think it's safe to say English was one of his native languages.
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rowzee
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 Message 20 of 35
20 November 2008 at 6:17pm | IP Logged 
I'm glad to see such interest in this topic, thank you all for the insightful answers and examples of known writers that have accomplished this goal.

It was especially interesting to read an interview with Alexander Hemon as suggested by Haksaeng which was quite an inspiring story. I suggest anyone interested in becoming a fluent writer in a foreign language to read it. I was reminded by this article that I should really return to studying the English language more seriously if I'm ever to achieve such a level of mastery as A. Hemon evidently has acquired himself. Here is the link:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2000/apr/08/fiction.features

Now, I also have realized that while merely reading fiction in English, not only I encounter layers of the language that are completely foreign to me, I also have an exaustive passive vocabulary consisting of words and expressions that I recognize in print but would hardly ever use in my own compositions. So, surely, one would have to try too maximise one's active vocabulary on the basis of this passive recognition as well. It isn't an easy task to accomplish, but should be within reach of a motivated student of the language.
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Volte
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 Message 21 of 35
20 November 2008 at 6:45pm | IP Logged 
Khalil Gibran has perhaps the most impressive English style I've ever seen, despite learning the language as an adult (he natively spoke Arabic, an unrelated language).

Thank you, rowzee, for the link to the article about A. Hemon; it's quite thought-provoking.
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HoppyUniatz
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 Message 22 of 35
21 November 2008 at 4:22am | IP Logged 
amphises wrote:
fanatic wrote:
Liface wrote:
Do you have any examples of famous writers who published in non-native languages?


The native language of Leslie Charteris, author of the Saint books and many others, was Chinese. His command of English is superior to most modern English authors.
He had an English mother and was raised in Lancashire, I think it's safe to say English was one of his native languages.

Actually he went to school for a short while in Lancashire but was raised in Singapore until he was 12 when he and his brother and mother came to the UK. Although he spent a couple of years at Rossall he spent more of his UK-based formative years in the south of England.

And English was his third language, having learnt Chinese and Malay initially.
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fanatic
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 Message 23 of 35
21 November 2008 at 4:41am | IP Logged 
HoppyUniatz wrote:
amphises wrote:
fanatic wrote:
Liface wrote:
Do you have any examples of famous writers who published in non-native languages?


The native language of Leslie Charteris, author of the Saint books and many others, was Chinese. His command of English is superior to most modern English authors.
He had an English mother and was raised in Lancashire, I think it's safe to say English was one of his native languages.

Actually he went to school for a short while in Lancashire but was raised in Singapore until he was 12 when he and his brother and mother came to the UK. Although he spent a couple of years at Rossall he spent more of his UK-based formative years in the south of England.

And English was his third language, having learnt Chinese and Malay initially.


Thank you, Hoppy, for the information. I thought that was the case but haven't been able to find the details yet.

I did know that Leslie Charteris wrote a book on Spanish grammar.

With a name like Hoppy Uniatz, you must be a Saint fan.
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HoppyUniatz
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United Kingdom
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 Message 24 of 35
21 November 2008 at 3:08pm | IP Logged 
fanatic wrote:
[QUOTE=HoppyUniatz] [QUOTE=amphises] [QUOTE=fanatic]

Thank you, Hoppy, for the information. I thought that was the case but haven't been able to find the details yet.

I did know that Leslie Charteris wrote a book on Spanish grammar.

With a name like Hoppy Uniatz, you must be a Saint fan.

I am indeed a Saint fan...

Yes, Leslie wrote "Spanish for Fun" in 1964. I think it's rather a good book and he tackles learning the language with a lot of common sense. I'm hoping it'll come back in print next year.

Hoppy


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