I'm dismayed', foreign character said (3)
I believe the answer is:
fie
'i'm dismayed' foreign' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.
'character said' is the wordplay.
'character' becomes 'f'.
'said' becomes 'ie' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'f'+'ie'='FIE'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for fie that I've seen before include "Interjection of disgust" , "Yuck!" , "Exclamation of mock dismay" , "Shame!" , "Cry of dismay" .)