Big words!

[Intrepid237]

So, I see PC's using words like fundamental for example. And i'm not going to accuse anyone of bad roleplay. I assume the best of players always. But would average Zalanthians know words with more than 5 syllables? Whenever I see PC's use them, I assume they heard a noble or bard speak it once and just picks it up from context, I think Zalanthians are smart enough to gain knowledge of a word through context. So personally, I avoid big words unless my character hears another character use them first, then uses it many times in the next few conversations so my PC can remember the word.

I'm just curious as to how large the vocabulary of an average amos would be. And would nobles or bards have a larger one?

[a strange shadow]

I think it depends on the character and their background.

A trained linguist, bard, or noble would definitely be well within their role to use big words.

Some uneducated Malik from the commoner's quarter, perhaps not.

[lordcooper]

Fundamental has four syllables.

[Barzalene]

I am guilty of talking over my pc's ability on occasion. But for a model, I'm more likely to look at say, Deadwood than a Hollywood action film.

I mean look at things like prison writing and oral tradition. People may not be able to spell all the words they use, they may not always say them perfectly or with proper grammar, but the uneducated are capable of eloquence all the same.

[Case]

One additional syllable for each rung of the social ladder.

[Intrepid237]

I mean look at things like prison writing and oral tradition. People may not be able to spell all the words they use, they may not always say them perfectly or with proper grammar, but the uneducated are capable of eloquence all the same.

Valid point. I mean, it doesn't break my immersion or anything. I just thought it was interesting. I don't think big words are a pre-requisite to eloquence though.

[Kalai]

Fundamental's a big word?

[a strange shadow]

Fundamental's a big word?

I almost said that. 

[Intrepid237]

Fundamental's a big word?

Well no... It's just the only example of a biggish word I've heard from the game I could think of at the moment lol

[RogueGunslinger]

When I see character talk like that I imagine them with British accents.

"Precipitously close to a precarious foray into the art of shiv-shufflin'. Ain't we Malik?"

"I dare say we're over the precipice and at the bottom of the Shield, Amos. Are we going to keep chattering or shall we dance."

"Dance we shall!"

[Ocotillo]

Big words are okay. When homeless guy with swords #6 tells someone about his 'legal rights' you start rolling your eyes.

[Barzalene]

Homeless guy has no rights. But there's no reason he can't lament that poetically, is there?

[Ocotillo]

There's a difference between someone sounding poetic and someone sounding like they grew up in a legalistic, common law society instead of the corrupt hellholes of the Black and White Pits.

[Barzalene]

That sounds like a win win to me. I'll buy that.

[Armaddict]

Guilty.  I use big words.

[Synthesis]

Subsequent to producing an apparently prodigious, yet maddeningly ethereal cloud of nauseating flatulence, expelled with a great, reverberating, ripping belch from what could only be--judging from the malodorousness of its effluvium--horribly tainted bowels, the tall, muscular man says, in sirihish:
     "Krath."

[HavokBlue]

If a character talks eloquently or in a sophisticated manner, I assume they have a reason for it, and move on. Otherwise, I tend to not question the way characters talk.

[BleakOne]

Antidisestablishmentarianism.

[RogueGunslinger]

anti-dis?

Woudlnt' that just be establishmentarianism?

[jstorrie]

No, it specifically means one was against the disestablishment of the Church of England. As the Church was established long ago and never disestablished, it would not make sense to be for or against its establishment in the present day. It's already established.

[perfecto]

Antidisestablishmentarianism.

Dare you to type that into a speak&spell

[flurry]

"My style is impetuous. My defense is impregnable." - Mike Tyson

[Chettaman]

Don't forget they're not speaking english. Those big words we imagine are big words could be small words in sirihish or any other language. Bet ya'll didn't take that into account.

[lordcooper]

Don't forget they're not speaking english. Those big words we imagine are big words could be small words in sirihish or any other language. Bet ya'll didn't take that into account.

Extremely good point.

[valeria]

When I see character talk like that I imagine them with British accents.

"Precipitously close to a precarious foray into the art of shiv-shufflin'. Ain't we Malik?"

"I dare say we're over the precipice and at the bottom of the Shield, Amos. Are we going to keep chattering or shall we dance."

"Dance we shall!"

This made my day.

Usually I try to have my characters talk with an appropriate level of education.  But that may or may not have anything to do with word length.  Using long words and being wordy aren't quite the same thing I don't think.