This blog was inspired by, in fact is a continuation of, a tea-party chat in Tréguennec. I had been invited by Annie, a friend and neighbour, to meet four of her close friends who share a particular interest- all read and discuss the French versions of my blogs! It is rare for me to spend an hour being asked about my work, and many of their questions and comments have reverberated since. Moreover, after I left I realised that my responses were often wanting. Here I set out what I might have said better.
Why do I write blogs? A crucial issue of which readers should be aware is that, as a child with dyslexia, all matters linguistic were difficult with writing requiring enormous effort. In keeping, reading also proved difficult and accordingly I have read very little traditional literature, rather I have limited myself to the essentials for my career and read about matters scientific and medical. In many ways I see my blog writing as part of a celebration of my overcoming the difficulties of those early years.
I did not learn to write with ease until my early forties and immediately found that the pleasure of being able to express myself was captivating. I learnt most when I worked on a medical journal that published reliable, evidence-based advice for UK doctors on the best use of medicines. Thanks to the editor, I learned that each article should be written as a story whose message and rhythm draw the reader in from the opening sentence to the final words of the conclusion. Also, that there should be nothing irrelevant, nothing ambiguous and nothing to distract. Furthermore, everything had to be clear, with no words wasted and all used correctly and with precision. In addition, nothing relevant to the story and that made understanding possible should be left out. Finally, the conclusion should be reached through logical steps such that the reader could have reached it themselves. In all this, we would use short words, verbs in the active tense and with adjectives kept to a minimum.
All this early writing related to science but then, five years after I retired, I was invited to write blogs for a lay audience that told of my own experiences, observations and ideas however quirky and the very prospect made for an exciting and liberating switch. It was a wonderful idea that my blogs would combine the discipline of my career days with the new freedom brought by my retirement.
Importantly, it is the pleasure of writing, and with it the repeated reminder of my vanquished dyslexia, that gives momentum to the production of new blogs every fortnight. Indeed, such is the momentum that stopping writing would be unthinkable.
Why do I translate my blogs into French? I started to study French twenty years ago when we bought our cottage in France. Very soon I realised that to enjoy living in my new home and being part of my new community, speaking French was essential. In my arrogance though, I thought learning would take a few months – but I am still at it!
My skills have advanced greatly, but while my speech is now ‘second nature’ to me, my teachers tell me that even with corrections, the message often contains ‘anglicisms’ – phrases with an English touch that, while understandable, are not exactly ‘proper’ French – and these might well annoy the reader.
Importantly, over the years my two hobbies have gradually merged, so that now all I do with my French teachers is translate my blogs into French.
Some details about the Tréguennec reading group (see illustration). This group was started by Annie and in some quarters it is referred to as my Tréguennec ‘Fan Club’ (the title is the same in French!). Following a chat one day, about ten years ago I added her to my list of 15 people to whom I was sending my translations. A few years later, she decided to forward the translations to friends, the majority of whom she walks with each week. Then last week, over our tea served with home-made Breton cakes, I had, a chance to meet those friends, all of whom were one-time professionals, inquisitive, thoughtful, receptive and welcoming.
After some research I now know that many of my English-speaking readers enjoy the twists and turns and unexpected developments of my blogs. That fact that the French speakers get similar pleasures from reading the blogs in translation shows that idiosyncrasies of writing style to tell the oddest stories can also cross language barriers.
The illustration shows a photo of the guests at my French afternoon ‘fan club’ tea with, from left to right Monique, Yvette, Cécile, Ghislaine and our neighbour, friend and host, Annie
For helping write this blog I would like to thank Annie, Cécile, Ghislaine, Monique, Yvette, Andrew, Jenny, Alan, Rohan and Vivien.
The Joe Collier Blog 
Hi Joe You know I greatly enjoy all of your blogs and they often make me smile. I know French speaking people who I am sure would appreciate them , my sister Edith, whom you know, for example. So may I have the privilege to receive your French version. ? Unless you tell me to pull my socks up and translate them myself.! See you soon, much love Guillemette
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Dear Guillemette, Just send me Edith’s email address and I will add her to my ‘French’ list. As an afterthought, what did you think of today’s blog?
Love, Joe
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hi Joe
I always liked your sense of humour which comes out at its best in your blogs , so first I wonder how it comes out in French second it is surprising that a bunch of “mature” ladies appreciate your humour in French.
Did you ask them what they like in particular?
I did not realise your dyslexia was so bad in your early youth and that it carried on in your medical studies and teaching.
I was quite shy as a young adult but teaching put me in a position like acting I suppose I was another person.
Looking forward to see you for Rohan’s celebration!
Love
guillemette
Edith email is: edith.gaulon@gmail.com
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hi again
I just realised you asked me about the Eurostar blog instead of the previous blog in the French community.
The Eurostar blog describing your interference in the intercom message is more you than ever!
I would have been wanting to disappear under the ground if I had been accompanying you.
But not only you are quite right the messages are mostly inaudible and again the reaction of the driver is quite unexpected but positive.
love
guillemette
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Dear Guillemette, Thank you very much for your comments. All generous, thoughtful and kind. Love, Joe
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Dear Guillemette, More comments and many more than your call of duty. However, thanks again for your views. Love, Joe
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Dear Joe,
This blog made me smile – as indeed your blogs almost always do (and if not actually smiling due to more serious subject matter, I am left thinking on the content). I smile because, as I think you know, the Joe’s Blog-in-French-Translation Fan Club has a branch in Devon too. For several years I’ve been part of a small band of friends (originally a U3A French conversation group) which also reads and discusses the French version of your blogs. And how we love them – for their content and for how they stretch our language learning! Ours is a morning-coffee group rather than an afternoon-tea one. We met last week and were amused by the recent blog on your Eurostar announcement. We all agreed that it was “encore plus Joe que d’habitude”!
I will look forward to chatting with Annie when I am visiting in September about our respective ‘fan club’ groups. And of course I am really excited about seeing you and Rohan again in Treguennec.
With love from JJ X
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Dear JJ, in writing the piece I had forgotten about your group – how many of you are there? When you are here I will make a point of introducing you to Annie – I am sure she will love to exchange experiences. By the way, she speaks not a word of English. Love, Joe
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Bonjour Joe! I hope you are enjoying a good summer in Tréguennec, we have been enjoying your blogs, even in Santorini where we were recently! I particularly liked your latest one with your lovely French ladies, I would love to join them for cake and discuss Joe Blogs in my pidgeon French!! Look forward to the next one old bean, kind regards Jacqui
Sent from my iPhone
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Dear Jacqui, Many thanks for your kind comments; it is good to hear that you are still finding them worth a read. The problem is that there will always be some that have less appeal. Love, Joe
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Dear Joe
Thank you for writing about this. I found it quite moving to learn that your writing skill developed from something that you initially found difficult and that DTB was influential. What you don’t mention is that you went on to help others (such as me) to write.
Nice to find out through the comments that you have several more fan clubs!
Love, Andrea
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Dear Andrea, Thank you for your comments. I have always believed that people are the better teachers if they themselves have had difficulties and so can feel for those who need help and are aware of tricks to improve.
Love
Joe
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