To italicize or not?

Question

I am writing a novel set in 12th century France in English. I have included, for flavor, only a sprinkling of French words commonly known to English readers. I'm questioning the typeset of "chevalier". Although I needn't italicize a noun identical in both languages, would doing so lead my reader to the French pronunciation of shə-ˈval-ˌyā rather than the English use of she-və-ˈlir? Or shall I consider myself guilty of overthinking and leave it to a standard font? Your thoughts? Thanks

Answer 1

I, for one, do not feel that using "chevalier" would lead your reader to the French pronunciation of the word. The reader who knows the French pronunciation of the word to begin with won't need any guidance and, to the reader who doesn't, it won't make any difference. I tutor French daily and the only way I can be sure that someone will know the correct pronunciation of a word in French or English is to use phonetics, a tool which seems to have become extinct in teaching. If I were using phonetics to teach a student how to pronounce "chevalier," I think I would go with "shevalyay."

I opt for standard font.

Long live Chevaliers de la Table Ronde!

I hope this helps!