{"id":5324,"date":"2021-10-11T09:43:55","date_gmt":"2021-10-11T09:43:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bunnystudio.com\/blog\/?p=5324"},"modified":"2025-05-23T21:05:50","modified_gmt":"2025-05-23T21:05:50","slug":"how-to-talk-like-a-pirate-a-primer-for-content-creators","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bunnystudio.com\/blog\/how-to-talk-like-a-pirate-a-primer-for-content-creators\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Talk Like a Pirate: A Primer for Content Creators"},"content":{"rendered":"

When learning how to talk like a pirate, we need to consider several things. First, we need to get the fundamentals of story right. Afterwards, we must take care of character development. On top of these foundations, we can proceed to acquire and direct voice talent (creating voice over<\/a>, dubbing and even audio ads).<\/strong><\/p>\n

This post has been updated in October 2021.<\/p>\n

How to Talk Like a Pirate (of the Caribbean)<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\u201cIn an honest Service, there is thin Commons, low Wages, and hard Labour; in this, Plenty and Satiety, Pleasure and Ease, Liberty and Power; and who would not balance Creditor on this Side, when all the Hazard that is run for it, at worst, is only a sower Look or two at choaking. No, a merry Life and a short one shall be my Motto.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bartholomew \u2018Black Bart\u2019 Roberts, Pirate operating in the Caribbean and West Africa, 1682-1722.<\/p>\n

Piracy in the seas has a vast history, spanning different countries and cultures. It still exists, around the Horn of Africa for one, as is reported regularly in the news<\/a>. When dealing with how to talk like a pirate, however, our copy and content will be in the English language, so we will probably be most interested in the ‘Golden Age of Piracy’.<\/strong><\/p>\n

This period began in the 16th<\/sup> century and phased out in the early 19th<\/sup> century. Its heaviest period, however, was from the 1660\u2019s up until the 1730\u2019s. More specifically, the years 1716 to 1726 saw the most intense and dramatic pirate activity. Piracy in this era coalesced in the Caribbean. It featured pirates, crews, vessels, and States fighting each other in an explosive brew of danger and high adventure.<\/p>\n

There are some interesting <\/strong>distinctions<\/strong><\/a> to be aware of:<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Pirates<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Free and reckless to plunder the seas, at their peril. The term \u2018pirate\u2019, however, is usually an umbrella term to include the following three characters.<\/p>\n

Privateers <\/strong><\/h4>\n

These were essentially pirates, authorized by a particular State to roam and pillage. They would attack vessels of other nations, plunder and pay tax to their Crown. Francis Drake<\/a> was a famous early privateer authorized by the British Crown, for example.<\/p>\n

\"How<\/p>\n

Buccaneers<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Small-time pirates. The \u2018freelancers\u2019 of the sea. Sometimes lawless pirates, sometimes employed as privateers. Originally, buccaneers were mostly found in the island of Tortuga and Hispaniola.<\/p>\n

Corsairs<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Generally considered an offensive term in the era. It was used to describe foreign and thus enemy privateers.<\/p>\n

Level 1: Story <\/strong><\/h3>\n

When we want to learn how to talk like a pirate in order to craft voice over, audio ads or something of the sort, the first step is great writing.<\/p>\n

Structure<\/strong><\/h4>\n

We have talked about the basics of structure in other articles, though it bears repeating. When crafting any sort of content, three-act structure will take us a long way.<\/p>\n

Three-Act Structure<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Three-act structure begins with an inciting incident<\/em><\/strong>, which propels the action. The first act<\/em><\/strong> ends with a turning point<\/em><\/strong>, leading to the second act<\/em><\/strong>. The second act is usually divided in two, with a midpoint<\/em><\/strong>. This second act finishes with yet another turning point<\/em><\/strong>, leading to the third act<\/em><\/strong> and towards the final resolution<\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

This traditional structure may seem dry, even pass\u00e9, but it serves as a great platform for all sorts of content. Even the most novel forms of story-telling are usually built with a solid three-act structure underneath.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Hero\u2019s Journey <\/strong><\/h4>\n

The other great structure of storytelling over which we may learn how to talk like a pirate is the \u2018hero\u2019s journey\u2019. This is the most basic genre of story. It is a sturdy framework for organizing a tale. Many pirate stories are built around the basic myth-adventure genre.<\/p>\n

This structure of storytelling (some would call it the most basic genre of all) begins with an ordinary world<\/em><\/strong>, where a hero receives a call to adventure<\/em><\/strong>. The hero finds a mentor<\/em><\/strong> and sets out on a journey<\/em><\/strong>, crossing a threshold, enduring tests, and battling enemies<\/strong>. The hero eventually reaches a final battle<\/em><\/strong> which yields a reward as victory<\/em><\/strong> is achieved.<\/p>\n

Level 2: Character Development<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Learning how to talk like a pirate requires developing a great character first. This is the job of the writer. Afterward, this character will be fleshed out by a savvy voice actor.<\/p>\n

Investigation <\/strong><\/h4>\n

It is important to realize that investigating a topic, such as Caribbean piracy, may become overwhelming. Many a writer begins to investigate earnestly only to be drawn more and more into a seemingly inexhaustible supply of sources. The best idea is to investigate based on some principles:<\/p>\n