My A-level Latin teacher was obsessed with the French phrase “le mot juste” - which, ironically, I can’t translate into English anywhere near as poetically as it deserves. But it basically refers to “the right/perfect word”. At school, it was all about loosening up our translations, and opting for an English word that would best convey the essence of the original Latin, rather than going for the most direct translation. Because even accuracy has room for nuance.
I don’t do much translation these days - and certainly not from Latin to English - but “le mot juste” has stuck with me and continues to inform my writing.
Lovely post. Thanks for giving me cause to remember Mr D Woodhead!
The timing of this is spot on for me. I had a (to me anyway!) really exciting book idea a week ago, and I’m writing it now, and I notice that (like James Acaster) I’m alright at the structural stuff. I can create complex and starting plots aplenty, but it’s at sentence level where I struggle, and actually that’s where the book comes to life!
This is brilliant, and too ‘on point’ to believe, timing wise at any rate.
I’ve spent the last month reviewing the entire manuscript of my tome on the medlar (aka cul de chien, cul de chat, cul de singe). Working on the specific and individual words... aaarrrggghh! From what I can remember of my own work, I hope I’ve done justice to the English language... if I haven’t, I’m sure the editor will straighten me out.
I love your posts, and thank Catherine Phipps for recommending that I should follow you.
I’m looking forward to returning to the world of lists, one word at a time.
Omg yes! And also a big fan of using “said” or “says”. I’m driven potty by the children’s books I read aloud with the variations that are just annoying distractions (I can just about manage shouted because it changes the story maybe!) please no more!
The James Acaster ep is one of the ones that stands out for me. I was really impressed with how modest and reflective he is. I really enjoyed the contrast between his chaotic stage persona and his serious approach to his work. I think Marina Hyde and John Crace (another great ep) are really good at picking the right word to land the joke.
My A-level Latin teacher was obsessed with the French phrase “le mot juste” - which, ironically, I can’t translate into English anywhere near as poetically as it deserves. But it basically refers to “the right/perfect word”. At school, it was all about loosening up our translations, and opting for an English word that would best convey the essence of the original Latin, rather than going for the most direct translation. Because even accuracy has room for nuance.
I don’t do much translation these days - and certainly not from Latin to English - but “le mot juste” has stuck with me and continues to inform my writing.
Lovely post. Thanks for giving me cause to remember Mr D Woodhead!
So enjoyable, thank you Hattie! I've just ordered Classic Scrapes now! And I live in the online Thesaurus for anything I'm writing.
The timing of this is spot on for me. I had a (to me anyway!) really exciting book idea a week ago, and I’m writing it now, and I notice that (like James Acaster) I’m alright at the structural stuff. I can create complex and starting plots aplenty, but it’s at sentence level where I struggle, and actually that’s where the book comes to life!
This is brilliant, and too ‘on point’ to believe, timing wise at any rate.
I’ve spent the last month reviewing the entire manuscript of my tome on the medlar (aka cul de chien, cul de chat, cul de singe). Working on the specific and individual words... aaarrrggghh! From what I can remember of my own work, I hope I’ve done justice to the English language... if I haven’t, I’m sure the editor will straighten me out.
I love your posts, and thank Catherine Phipps for recommending that I should follow you.
I’m looking forward to returning to the world of lists, one word at a time.
Best wishes
Jane
Omg yes! And also a big fan of using “said” or “says”. I’m driven potty by the children’s books I read aloud with the variations that are just annoying distractions (I can just about manage shouted because it changes the story maybe!) please no more!
The James Acaster ep is one of the ones that stands out for me. I was really impressed with how modest and reflective he is. I really enjoyed the contrast between his chaotic stage persona and his serious approach to his work. I think Marina Hyde and John Crace (another great ep) are really good at picking the right word to land the joke.
This was an excellent post, very helpful! Thanks for sharing.
I love your insights and thoughts on writing and taking the time to select the write words!!
Thank you, Hattie! Wonderful post. Felt friends!
More on word choice from science: https://www.bps.org.uk/research-digest/heres-why-phrases-rowdy-bowels-and-moose-ooze-seem-funny