I am really interested in Narrative Medicine and have attended some workshops at Columbia (are you familiar with their program?), and this essay is connecting a lot of dots for me and generating some new ideas, too!
Two language tidbits! My favorite French word that doesn't translate into English is dépaysé. It's literal translation is disorientation, but it's bigger than that - it's being in a new place and feeling completely adrift from your home/where you're originally from. 'Pays' is the French word for country, so that's the root of it.
You mentioned no word for a daughter without a mother - it makes me think of 'The Missing Word' by Conchita De Gregorio. It's a heavy book, but she deals directly with the fact that there is no word to describe someone who has lost their children.
I love that you have somewhat given permission for writers to exercise creative license when appropriate. Doing so enhances our voice and endears us to readers. As someone who can tend to see things in black and white, a natural rule follower, I love your view on words and word choice. Congratulations on having SLIP translated into Spanish. That's wonderful!
Thank you, Kerry. I’m so glad you found this helpful.
I’m a rule follower too, and it took me awhile to learn how to bend and break the “rules” in writing, while still adhering to accuracy and good ethics.
I tend to think about writing tools instead of rules. The more tools you have in your toolbox, the better. You won’t use every tool for every piece, but if you don’t know the tool exists in the first place, you won’t have the option of using it.
I see the use of neologisms/language creation as one of these tools.
Thank you, Oona! The need is so great! I’m glad you shared that data with me. I’m planning to let Equip and other treatment centers know about the Spanish translation, as I think it will be a really helpful resource.
I’ve read a lot about Columbia’s Narrative Medicine program and have long been intrigued by it. I’ve never attended any workshops, though. Would love to!
Congrats on the Spanish translation! (BTW, Equip just released results of a survey that reiterates how great a need there is: https://equip.health/articles/news-and-research/eating-disorders-latinx-research)
I am really interested in Narrative Medicine and have attended some workshops at Columbia (are you familiar with their program?), and this essay is connecting a lot of dots for me and generating some new ideas, too!
Two language tidbits! My favorite French word that doesn't translate into English is dépaysé. It's literal translation is disorientation, but it's bigger than that - it's being in a new place and feeling completely adrift from your home/where you're originally from. 'Pays' is the French word for country, so that's the root of it.
You mentioned no word for a daughter without a mother - it makes me think of 'The Missing Word' by Conchita De Gregorio. It's a heavy book, but she deals directly with the fact that there is no word to describe someone who has lost their children.
Thank you, Marissa! I’m glad you introduced me to dépaysé. Seems like a powerful word that I could see myself using in writing.
I haven’t yet read The Missing Word, but it’s now on my list! Look forward to checking it out.
Love this, and the chance to learn more about the restorative narrative terminology!
So glad!
I love that you have somewhat given permission for writers to exercise creative license when appropriate. Doing so enhances our voice and endears us to readers. As someone who can tend to see things in black and white, a natural rule follower, I love your view on words and word choice. Congratulations on having SLIP translated into Spanish. That's wonderful!
Thank you, Kerry. I’m so glad you found this helpful.
I’m a rule follower too, and it took me awhile to learn how to bend and break the “rules” in writing, while still adhering to accuracy and good ethics.
I tend to think about writing tools instead of rules. The more tools you have in your toolbox, the better. You won’t use every tool for every piece, but if you don’t know the tool exists in the first place, you won’t have the option of using it.
I see the use of neologisms/language creation as one of these tools.
Thank you, Oona! The need is so great! I’m glad you shared that data with me. I’m planning to let Equip and other treatment centers know about the Spanish translation, as I think it will be a really helpful resource.
I’ve read a lot about Columbia’s Narrative Medicine program and have long been intrigued by it. I’ve never attended any workshops, though. Would love to!