Here's a breakdown of common speech patterns in realist fiction:
* Dialect and regionalisms: Realist writers often incorporate dialect and regional variations in speech to create a sense of place and authenticity. This includes specific vocabulary, pronunciation, and grammatical structures. The level of detail depends on the author's style and the specific character.
* Informal language: Realist dialogue often features colloquialisms, slang, and contractions, reflecting the everyday speech of ordinary people. This contrasts sharply with the more formal language often found in earlier literary movements.
* Varied speech patterns: Characters' speech will differ depending on factors like their age, education, social standing, and emotional state. A highly educated professor will speak differently than an uneducated farmhand. A character's speech might also change depending on who they are talking to.
* Natural pauses and interruptions: Realist dialogue avoids the perfectly formed, uninterrupted sentences often found in other literary styles. It includes hesitations, interruptions, unfinished sentences, and overlapping speech to mimic the flow of natural conversation.
* Subtext and implication: Realist writers often utilize subtext – meaning conveyed indirectly through implication or suggestion – in their dialogue. Characters might not explicitly state their intentions or feelings, but their words and tone will reveal a deeper meaning.
* Emphasis on realism over artificiality: While dialect and unique speech can be used, they should always serve the purpose of character development and world-building. The goal is not to create a quirky or overly distinctive voice, but one that feels believable within the context of the story.
In short, the speech patterns in realist fiction aim for naturalism, reflecting the complexity and diversity of human communication rather than adhering to idealized or artificial models of language.