A PLACE FOR SIDEWAYS TRAINS OF THOUGHT
Currently, a lot of renaming seems to be taking place or at least attempted. Some things, however, seem to be moving in a contrary direction to the prevailing trend. It is rumoured that the International Bridge Association is changing its laws to introduce the new term "kennedy". This will require a new definition to be... Continue Reading →
Last year I stood on a corner at a crossroads in Hanoi where a stream of motorcycles, scooters and mopeds was going east to west and another south to north and both flows were heading for each other. A crash seemed inevitable, unless one stream suddenly gave way. But as if it were a baffling... Continue Reading →
When beginning as an interpreter many years ago , I was reminded that “Ivory Coast” was a name to be avoided as the authorities of that state insisted on it always being called by the French name Côte d’Ivoire. 2.Côte d’Ivoire is now a rather strange name since the ivory trade is prohibited. 3. A... Continue Reading →
One of the best things of the French Revolution, in my opinion, are the beautiful new names which were assigned to the months of the year. I especially like misty Brumaire, frosty Frimaire and fruity Fructidor. Rainy Pluviôse is quite nice too. Compare our tired names, particularly September, October, November and December. These just mean... Continue Reading →
If you have watched any royal ceremonies involving the Queen of England, you may have noticed that she is the only person who doesn’t join in when “God Save the Queen” is sung. She can’t, of course. It would make no sense. But I am sure that there have been times when she has sung it... Continue Reading →
T(This is a post from 2010). The other day I came across an article in Le Monde about the political situation in Vorarlberg, a region of Austria. Together with Carinthia, Vorarlberg has adopted a law to prevent buildings being erected which aren't "ortsüblich". The best way I have found to render ortsüblich in this case... Continue Reading →
Some days the sun comes bouncing up as if upon a spring, you leap out of bed, sing loudly in the shower, your orange juice makes every wall glow warmly, you dress while dancing, pick a bright shirt and choose a smile to match and then the first person whom you meet complains about the... Continue Reading →
(This piece first appeared in the Summer 2008 issue of Communicate! - a webzine for conference interpreters and the conference industry: Those who aren't acquainted with the ins and outs of conference interpreting might be baffled by some of the details of the job but will surely be able to empathise with the general feeling... Continue Reading →
January is already in its twenties and I find I keep on getting dragged back to 2008. Only yesterday I discovered that last year was the International Year of the Frog. How did I miss that ? I don't know where or when this was decided but I can imagine the endless jokes about it being... Continue Reading →
Some nights I lie awake, thinking how nice it would be to assemble a city which incorporates all my favourite streets and squares. Some of them because they offer an unexpected glimpse of a river at a sharp bend, others because of their beautiful buildings, some because of their fascinating shops or magnificent trees and still others because of the... Continue Reading →