My husband and I went to a concert last Wednesday, being big fans of listening to live classical music, although sometimes the more modern stuff can be interesting but somewhat painful to the ears and the soul. Anyhow, my husband was observing the musicians and in particular, one woman's hairstyle. He asked an interesting question to which I have absolutely no answer.
First of all he said, "What do they call a fringe here in North America?"
I answered, "Bangs."
"But why? How did that come about?"
For the life of me I could not bring any possible explanation to mind. And truly, this is one of the words I find more difficult to remember to use. I think my hairdresser is used to me by now, fortunately. In general though, I'm pretty well into the local vernacular. From time to time I remember how it was when we first arrived and how many confused stares I received... so unexpected, when I do speak English. Sometimes I thought it might make things simpler if I sounded more foreign, as if I were from Central or Eastern Europe for instance!
And now I'm trying to put myself back into the South Africanisms that I used before we emigrated. Yes, a new novel is on the way, also set in the time of the last days of apartheid and featuring a ballet student as its heroine.
And no, her hairstyle is traditional dancer and doesn't include a bang or a fringe!
Sunday, January 11, 2015
Sunday, December 21, 2014
The loss of 'one'.
This morning I was having an argument with someone in my head. Do you ever do that? It's kind of a useless exercise but my brain was doing its floating thing and sometimes that brings good ideas to the surface. So today I was imagining myself telling this particular person, 'You can't think like that'.
Uh oh. In today's world, you can't say those sorts of things. At least, I'd be very hesitant. But what to do? I thought how much better it would be if I could say 'one' instead, as in 'One can't think like that'. Less personal, so maybe more acceptable.
It strikes me that generally, everything has to be more personal these days. Maybe that has something to do with individuality (?) In any case, we are losing the use of 'one', even though this usage can sometimes be found in articles or essays that originate in England.
I find this a bit of a pity. But I need to keep up with the times, especially as a writer of fiction. And here the increase in the personal is marked. Writing advice encourages us to use what's known as 'third person deep point of view'. This means that everything is filtered through the eyes and experience of the main character. The reader very quickly engages, which is the big advantage.
I suppose we all have our natural perspective, for some of us closer than others. Mine, I have to confess, has always been somewhat distanced and that makes it difficult for me to write in this most modern way. I find it easier to use first person, but I'm trying to learn the technique. Luckily, although I might have thought about saying 'one', it never enters my head to actually do so!
Uh oh. In today's world, you can't say those sorts of things. At least, I'd be very hesitant. But what to do? I thought how much better it would be if I could say 'one' instead, as in 'One can't think like that'. Less personal, so maybe more acceptable.
It strikes me that generally, everything has to be more personal these days. Maybe that has something to do with individuality (?) In any case, we are losing the use of 'one', even though this usage can sometimes be found in articles or essays that originate in England.
I find this a bit of a pity. But I need to keep up with the times, especially as a writer of fiction. And here the increase in the personal is marked. Writing advice encourages us to use what's known as 'third person deep point of view'. This means that everything is filtered through the eyes and experience of the main character. The reader very quickly engages, which is the big advantage.
I suppose we all have our natural perspective, for some of us closer than others. Mine, I have to confess, has always been somewhat distanced and that makes it difficult for me to write in this most modern way. I find it easier to use first person, but I'm trying to learn the technique. Luckily, although I might have thought about saying 'one', it never enters my head to actually do so!
Saturday, August 23, 2014
Friendly mirrors
"I love this mirror." My dear aunt Katty said, regarding her reflection and tweaking her hairstyle.
She was visiting us in our South African 'cottage' i.e. holiday home by the sea.
I didn't see anything special about that particular mirror, although it was pretty enough, with its curlicued frame of white-painted wrought iron.
"Why?" I asked.
"'Cos it makes me look thinner."
I'd never thought of such a phenomenon, but ever since then I've occasionally come across mirrors that enhance or detract. Most recently, buying clothes on sale in an upmarket store I wondered if the owners had ever considered theirs. It's one of those establishments where you have to leave the cubicle in order to see how you look (hate that!). The three-way mirror is flawed and makes you (me) look like a dumpling. Not a good idea from the retail side.
Anyhow, I'm happy to tell you that the bathroom mirror in our new abode is a friendly one. This is nice because I can start off the day feeling good about myself. And, even though I don't subscribe to the idea that we should all be slim, but rather that we all have our optimum weight, whether it be on the thinner or fatter side, I like that.
She was visiting us in our South African 'cottage' i.e. holiday home by the sea.
I didn't see anything special about that particular mirror, although it was pretty enough, with its curlicued frame of white-painted wrought iron.
"Why?" I asked.
"'Cos it makes me look thinner."
I'd never thought of such a phenomenon, but ever since then I've occasionally come across mirrors that enhance or detract. Most recently, buying clothes on sale in an upmarket store I wondered if the owners had ever considered theirs. It's one of those establishments where you have to leave the cubicle in order to see how you look (hate that!). The three-way mirror is flawed and makes you (me) look like a dumpling. Not a good idea from the retail side.
Anyhow, I'm happy to tell you that the bathroom mirror in our new abode is a friendly one. This is nice because I can start off the day feeling good about myself. And, even though I don't subscribe to the idea that we should all be slim, but rather that we all have our optimum weight, whether it be on the thinner or fatter side, I like that.
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