Help. If you have a scene that is spoken in a foreign language what is the proper way to format it in the script? Do you write in the language that is being spoken? Do you put the English translation in the script parenthetically? Much thanks for your help. Lane

If memory serves, you mark it in the script as a caption.

I think the most efficient for the reader is to write it all in English with a parenthetical about the language. After all, what language does your intended readers speak?

eg.:

SALCEDA
(in Spanish)
Good to see you, Connor. I knew you'd make it
back here sooner or later.

He grins at John as he steps from the truck, and then clocks
Terminator getting out.

SALCEDA
Oye, Big John! Que pasa? Who's your very large
friend?

JOHN
(perfect Spanish)
He's cool, Enrique. He's... uh... this is my
Uncle Bob.
(to Terminator, in English)
Uncle Bob, this is Enrique.

(from the Terminator 2 script: http://www.hundland.com/scripts/Terminator2-JD.txt)

There's probably a way to make it more "global" if your character will be speaking the non-English language throughout.

Write the script for the actors dialogue as you'd want them to perform it. Then either in parentheses after that you can include the translation, or use the tag "SUPER:" with the translation like a scene description below each line as it would be included on screen.

NaNoWriMo Staff

Thank you for your help. Much appreciated. Lane

Agreeing with the staff, because they are handy and helpful! Write it just like it should be performed, then you put either SUPER: or I use SUPERIMPOSE: which just means placing something over something else (in our case, text over image). SUPERIMPOSE: is also used to display the date at the bottom or where it is taking place.

Example:

EXT. PLANET ZUBA - DAUPHIN HEADQUARTERS - NIGHT

SUPERIMPOSE:
Planet Zuba, Dauphin Headquarters March 15th, 3008

Elle Viane Sonnet
www.SonnetFilms.com

This is what every resource I've read cites as industry standard. You write it in the language of the person you're trying to sell it to. It's their job to translate it after that. But if they don't know what it is you're saying, they can't know how it hangs together in the story.

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Find the next word. Write it down. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. --Neil Gaiman

In the movie Eastern Promises, they use both English and Russian very liberally. In the script though, the parts spoke in Russia are written as such:

NIKOLAI
(in Russian)
Maybe somebody sent your dad a hooker for Christmas.

So, I'm guessing this would be the easiest way to do it.

I have a question. You see, my script is set back in to the 1800's France, in the beginning. I was thinking about writing it in broken French like:

MAN #3
Je suis desolée I believe I’ve been drinking a terrible amount. I beg your leave.

or

CONSTITIN (CONT’D)
Enchantée. Are you here alone?

Is that okay? My partner and I are fighting back and forth between if it sounds right or if I should put subtitles because it might be "confusing" to the audience. Thanks in advance.

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~2009~
Scriptfrenzy '08: As If I Can Be Saved (working title) 6/100
Nanowrimo '07: No More Daisies