I was writing some dialogue for Hagrid, looked at how JKR had done it, and thought I would share my observations.

 

Would it not be better just to use speech tags to note the heavy accent and move on? I'm sure that violates some show don't tell rule but goddamn it's annoying to read 'Arry! and 'all righ' just like yer father'

 

I don't know about you, but when I read dialogue done in that way, I never actually have the mental impression of the accent when reading the dialogue. The character's voice just comes out completely generic.

With Fleur you can get away with it, because she's an educated person and her accent is a result of English being her second language, a skill you can have her improve. But for Hagrid, his accent is an essential part of his character, conveying so much information about the type of person he is - a Hagrid who speaks like an educated middle class person comes off as a completely different person.

 

I am completely okay with a generic accent if I don't have to suffer through hackneyed descriptive accents and dropped foreign letters and what not. But yes, that's just me.

Hackneyed is the wrong word, but you see what I'm saying.

 

This is racist against giants.

 

100%

 

Here you go.

Generally, I don't mind the author using accents. The problem, as always, comes from a lack of knowledge/consistency. Or overuse - Hagrid being unable to say 'h', for example.

It works for Hagrid because he has a strong accent. But most characters should, probably, have a minor accent, even if they wouldn't need subtitling. Either based on geography, or based on all being wizards (not something I've seen before done seriously - wizards having their own dialect and distinct accents compared to local muggles).

 

The number one thing about Hagrid's accent is that it's not terribly consistent. Consider this study of his accent in canon.
https://furiosity.livejournal.com/102366.html

 

The weirdest thing about Hagrid's accent is that Aragog doesn't have it.

 

Clearly Tom Riddle was the one who really raised Aragog, and Confunded him and Hagrid into thinking Hagrid did it when he needed a fall guy for the Chamber fracas.