the black beast

[sergebroom]

A couple of weeks ago, I was going thru Asimov's April/May 2007 issue when I came across a story by a critically acclaimed writer I've met a few times in person. I enjoyed her story so I sent her an email (*) about it. She responded almost right away, and thanked me. She then went on to ask me a question about the French expression bête noire. She wasn't sure it meant what she thought it meant. I was able to tell her that, while its literal translation is black beast, it usually refers to an ennemy, one of the tormenting, hounding kind. For example, Senator William Proxmire was the bête noire of any SETI-related funding.

Thus, should you come across a short story where that expression appears, it might be because of me. My knowledge of Things isn't as diversified as that of some of my buddettes and buddies who contribute to the Making Light blog, but this was something I could help with.

Yay!

----------

(*) Such addresses are easy to find when your significant other is also a member of the SFWA.

Comments

[miltonthales.livejournal.com]

Likely synonym: nemesis

But in Proxmire's case wouldn't it be noir, masculine form? Or have I forgotten too much French since high school?

[(Anonymous)]

It's noire because the gender of bête is feminine. It's the same with possessives. In English, you use 'his' or 'her' based on the gender of the possessor. In French, the possessive's gender is based on the possessee's gender. It does sound strange. Adapting to the English rules certainly was weird to me.

[serge-lj.livejournal.com]

Oops. Forgot to sign the above.

[miltonthales.livejournal.com]

So it's la bête, therefore noire. It's been a damned long time. I studied French from 8th grade through 12th, and Russian from 11th through 12th, but apparently the rules don't stick as well as the vocabulary does.

[tania-c.livejournal.com]

Go Serge!

[serge-lj.livejournal.com]

Thanks, Tania. It is a rather pleasant feeling, being able to be a consultant. Should you need similar help from me, please let me know.

[tania-c.livejournal.com]

Oh, I'll think of something.
Years ago I sent my first fangirl email to an author I liked, and she wrote back! Asked me questions! I was gobsmacked! She was working on a book where the activities took place in the high-latitudes, and wanted pointers. I gave her a list of all my pet peeves, and directed her to some other sources I knew of that could answer some of the more technical questions she had. This was back in maybe '91, or so. I still feel all silly about it. In a good way.

[serge-lj.livejournal.com]

It is a nice feeling, isn't it, to be able to give back to those who have given to you, eh?

[fledgist.livejournal.com]

I want a story in which l'esprit de l'escalier turns out to be the tutelary divinity of a staircase.

[serge-lj.livejournal.com]

I wouldn't be surprised to find out somebody already wrote that story.

[fledgist.livejournal.com]

Nor I.