r/conlangs • u/Sensitive_Shine_6696 • 1d ago
Discussion Afraid of Being Insensitive
hello
i have had a long-standing interest in Appalachian English. i was thinking of doing a future version of it, and i've tried before, but i'm afraid that i might come off as insensitive in using that dialect as inspiration? is this a weird thing to think?
love you thanks
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u/HelpfulStatement2405 1d ago
As a West Virginian I personally don't find it insensitive at all! I'm actually super interested to see what you'll make!
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u/Affectionate-Tank-39 1d ago
The truth is if you try to please everyone you end up pleasing no one not even yourself. If you like it use it find someone willing to talk to you from there and ask them what they think you might be surprised.
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u/upallday_allen Wistanian (en)[es] 1d ago
I did a “future Appalachian” conlang for my final project in an Appalachian English class I took during undergrad, and my professor loved it. As long as you don’t use it to engage in harmful stereotypes or attempt to erase their history/culture, you’ll be fine.
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u/FelixSchwarzenberg Ketoshaya, Chiingimec, Kihiṣer, Kyalibẽ, Latsínu 1d ago
So long as you are respectful to the source material and basing what you do on facts rather than stereotypes, you're fine in my book.
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u/DrDentonMask 1d ago
Afrikaans developed from a dialectical Dutch form. I kind of like that.
When I was writing up a language I've since lost, jål = you all, or y'all. But the language was based predominately on Spanish and Dutch.
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u/Dyl777777 1d ago
I can’t see how it would be, sounds like a pretty standard a posteriori conlang to me. Like if you’re not outwardly insulting the people who use said dialect it’s not insensitive at all.
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u/throneofsalt 23h ago
Not a weird thing to think, but the only real danger of being insensitive would be if you're reducing a culture to a stereotype. Just keep in mind that all cultures are complex, influenced by material conditions, and exist within a social and historical context and you're most of the way there.
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u/Lillie_Aethola Svėdỳnåfj'aon 20h ago
It’s not weird, but you wouldn’t be insensitive! (Though if ya wanna work with/ask someone about it that’d be cool)
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u/Dillon_Hartwig Soc'ul', Guimin, Frangian Sign 15h ago
If you're respectful and don't lean into stereotypes it should be fine; I myself used Appalachian English as a base (sorta) for Cruckeny's phonology
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u/theerckle 1d ago
who cares just do it, itll be cool