In two of my last three stories I used similar keys,
for instance

     "  "      spoken English
     < >       spoken Chinese (Mandarin one story,
Cantonese the other)
     o O ( )        private thought
     o O > <        telepathy

with no delimiter meaning spoken Japanese.

I believe that I am obligated to differentiate language,
so it is obvious to the reader why some characters
understand certain utterances and other don't, as well
as simple verisimilitude.
I also believe that I'm obligated to somehow differentiate
telepathy, so that the reader can understand why certain
characters "hear" an utterance and others don't.

I have been following this discussion with some
interest, certainly, and am interested in
suggestions as to alternative methods of delimiting.

Well, in my latest fic, Aya speaks English, Ranma speaks
Japanese, and I use "" to delineate both.

In "The Ways of the Amazons", most of the dialogue is in Chinese
with the occasional conversations in Japanese.  I used "" to
delineate both.  About the only thing I changed is Shampoo's
speech - she was well-spoken when speaking Chinese, and spoke
fanfic-standard pidgin English when speaking Japanese.

In short, I *don't* think you need to feel obligated to
differentiate language.  Use other, more subtle methods to show
that they're speaking another language.

"Who the hell are you?" asked Aya.

Ryoga turned to stare at her.  "Huh?"

"How did you do that?"

"Hello?  Are you talking to me?"

"Dammit, where is Ranma!"

"Did you say Ranma?  I'm not Ranma.  He lives at the Tendo Dojo.
Follow me, I'll take you there."

"Hey, where are you going?"

And so forth.

There's also nothing wrong with the occasional:

"Hello, Detective Brea.  I overheard you talking to Ranma.  I can
get you any caliber weapon... for the right price," Nabiki said
in English.

<shrug>  This is all my opinion, of course.

hkmiller

-Richard