Script advice: non-English speaking characters

[poptart]

I'm working on a script that includes several sections where the characters are not speaking in English.

Should I include the non-English text along with the English text, or is it preferable/acceptable to write the dialogue in English and simply note that they are speaking another language? What's the standard?

Example:

BOB
(in French)
These pretzels are making me thirsty!

(just for the sake of argument - if it were to get made, I'd make the effort to translate the dialogue.)

 

[poptart]

I'm working on a script that includes several sections where the characters are not speaking in English.

Should I include the non-English text along with the English text, or is it preferable/acceptable to write the dialogue in English and simply note that they are speaking another language? What's the standard?

Example:

BOB
(in French)
These pretzels are making me thirsty!

(just for the sake of argument - if it were to get made, I'd make the effort to translate the dialogue.)

 

[Kyle Johnson]

yeah, just do it that way

 

[poptart]

Thanks. Acutally, I just found a copy of Godfather II screenplay online...I recalled that it had a lot of Italian dialogue. Here's an excerpt:

DON FRANCESCO
(Sicilian)
I'm not afraid of his words.

WIDOW
(Sicilian)
He is weak.

DON FRANCESCO
(Sicilian)
He will grow strong.

WIDOW
(Sicilian)
The child cannot harm you.

DON FRANCESCO
(Sicilian)
He will be a man, and then he will
come for revenge.

 

[Forsakenproductions]

never get involved with a sicillian when death is on teh line . . .

 

[RFranco]

usually the way you write it is, for example in spanish:


DON QUIXOTE
Es el gigante!
(It's the giant!)

so that way the actors know what they're actually supposed to prnounce and say, and also know what it means in english.