7 tips on how to talk like Jane Austen

It was 'How to talk like Jane Austen day' several days ago, but never mind, here's a tutorial anyway. Here are some tips to make your speech utterances sounds somewhat more Jane Austen-esque. :-)

1. Try to avoid first names.

A simple trick is to address people by their Surname, with Miss/Mrs/Mr before, of course. Even if it's your husband or wife. Mrs Bennet or Mr Allan will do. (Only during long romantic autumn walks may the Christian name pop up, with some flattering adjectives to match. For example, Dearest Loveliest Elizabeth.)

2. Say 'one-and-twenty' rather than 'twenty-one.'

And that goes with three-and-twenty, or four-and-fifty, or hundred-and-five-and-eighty or whatever. It's just SO Jane Austen. (Actually, in Dutch, we say the 'one' bit before the 'twenty' bit, too. I know it doesn't make any sense, but it's prettier-sounding, sooo.)

3. Say 'indeed' rather than 'I know.'
Emma and I say 'I know' half of the time whenever we're chatting. I've seen loads of people use it, in all different forms and sizes. "ikr", and "I KNOWWWW" and "I know riiiight!?!" and so on. Well, to sound more JA-esque, use the word 'Indeed' instead. It works.

4. Put in a 'my dear' now and then.
I don't know why, it helps.

5. Use the word 'pray' rather than 'please.'
Don't say, 'Please pass me the salt.' Say, 'Pray, pass me the salt.' It sounds respectful and yet deliciously Jane-Austen-like. (Have you noticed that no-one says 'please' in the JA world? Maybe I'm wrong - pray, correct me if it is so - but I cannot recollect any 'please's. It's always 'pray.')

6. Avoid the 'don't's and 'n't's at all cost.
Do not. Not don't. Does not. Never doesn't. It's vulgar. "Does she not look beautiful tonight?" Imagine how Mrs Bennet would throw herself into a state of smelling salts if she heard someone say, 'Doesn't she look beautiful tonight." IMAGINE.

7. Say 'For' rather than 'Because.'
Always, people, always, for it is a very Jane Austen-esque thing to do. Do not ask me why, for I am at a loss.

There you go, Dear People! Now, go off, and dazzle your family members with some elegant and proper speech. :-D