Resources for old-fashioned english

[Near]

Hello everyone! I'm currently on planning a little story, and I think I'd want my characters to speak in old english style, like people in 19th-20th centuries were speaking. You know, how gentlemen was talking. :) Do you know any resources that could help me? I would be very appreciative. :)
Thank you in advance and have a nice day. :D

[alylt]

Hi Near

I've been meaning to sign up and make an account for a while, but your question actually encouraged me to do it, so thanks!

There are actually three different major periods in English (and to some extent American,) history that covers the 19th century and all of them had variations on their own styles/fashion/social norms/and slang. The late seventeen hundreds were the Georgian period, followed by the Regency in early 1800s (Think Jane Austen,) which was followed by the long Victorian (where we get Sherlock Holmes, steampunk, top hats, bustles, that sort of thing.)

Most of my resources are more regency era specific, but if you are interested in Victorian, you can probably find some by using that as a search term.

The best way to get a feel for the real language of the period is to read books written then. A lot of these are in the public domain and can be downloaded and read online for free, which is neat Charles Dickens, Jane Austen, The Bronte sisters etc. will all give you super authentic language and slang. Here's a site I found when I googled for a list of books written in the 18th/19th century: http://www.standard.co.uk/news/get-lond ... 35719.html

Another recommendation is to read the romances (no R or pg-13 invovled!) by Georgette Heyer, these were written more recently (although they aren't what I would call modern,) but were impeccably researched from all sorts of primary sources. The language use in them and feel for it is really good! (These aren't in public domain, but should be available through public libraries if you have access)

Some more links:

18th century and regency thieves cant http://www.pascalbonenfant.com/18c/cant/ (basically a guide to all the slang)

Correct forms of address http://laura.chinet.com/html/titles12.html (a guide to titles, how people called each other etc, necessary for any proper gentleman! )

The regency lexicon: http://www.regencyassemblypress.com/Reg ... xicon.html (a guide to phrases/slang/etc used during the era)

A list of a bunch of articles/information on life/customs and other details of the regency period: http://janeaustensworld.wordpress.com/s ... ncy-world/

And finally a list linking to a bunch of primary sources/books from the time period (a primary source if you don't know is something that was actually written during the era you are learning about, like letters or fashion magazines - yes, they had those, too! - or behavioral guide books) http://janeaustensworld.wordpress.com/original-sources/

Hope that was helpful and not too overwhelming! (Never give a librarian's daughter a research question!)

[Near]

alylt, I really appreciate that! You've helped me a lot ^^ Haha, this will certainly get me to this past environment! Be sure I'll mention you on the credit list when I finish my game ^^.

[alylt]

What a cute thank you picture

Glad I could help, no need to give me credits, just make sure and let me play it when you are done! I'm looking forward to it.

Good luck!!!

-aly