My WIP is partially set in the Cajun country of south Louisiana. In introducing one of the families I have drafted this: This event caused only minimal damage; the most tragic result of the storm was the death of several members of the prominent Billeaud family (pronounced bee-o in Cajun French). Is this a correct use of italics? Or maybe only italicize "bee-o"? Or maybe no italics at all? Thanks
From reading stories that have this kind of reference mid-prose, its usually just the bee-o bit in italics, emphasizing how its said in French dialect. Best to get some other opinions first though.
I'm going to tack this one into this thread even though it's another train of thought. Past tense memories when writing from the 1st person. Basically switching midchapter to a memory of a conversation or a past occurence and switching to italics.
nothing there should be in italics! while words in other languages are italicized, this is a name, not a word... and the pronunciation in ( ) should not also be in italics...
What are you writing? If this is a novel, then have your character/'s describe the proper pronunciation, via dialogue. Your current method is a distraction to the reader. IMHO