Can't help feeling there's been a topic on this before, so if I have missed it (and I probably posted on it), my apologies. My current story is set the end of the 18th century and I made conscious decision to use more modern speech and avoid references to 18th century language although I have included certain items of clothing like stays and breeches. The purpose of this was to make it easily read but having come across the following: http://pascalbonenfant.com/18c/cant/ I'm kind of regretting my decision because usage of all these marvelous terms would add flavour and authenticity. Maybe I'll write an alternative version with 18th century dialogue What do others do in such circumstances? I was able to cheat in Decameron XXX by using verb forms e.g. dost and avoiding anachronisms but it is quite hard work.
Whole cloth (or half-recollected readings of childhood) in Lucy's Portion, using archaisms and formalisms without a touchstone of consistency. Some of the affected speaking style is intended to be amusing and evocative of the setting; some of it over-formal as a concealment of and counterpoint to the actuality of casual sexual exploitation which has defined Lucy's birth and life up to the point of the story. (I somewhat wish I could say "deliciously silly" but I didn't actually push for that effect, and who would I be, Oscar Wilde?).
