File spoon-archives/bourdieu.archive/bourdieu_1996/96-07-02.141, message 143


Date:         Wed, 22 May 96 11:12:27 EDT
From: "Charles J. Stivale" <CSTIVAL-AT-CMS.CC.WAYNE.EDU>
Subject:      Re: about your list


I find this question of language to be strange and ironic on a list that
focuses on a writer whose work is composed predominantly IN FRENCH, not in
English. I realize the question is more that of the lingua franca of the
list, and not of Bourdieu's chosen language of expression, but still...
Were I to discuss B's essays in French, or to post citations from him,
large or small, in French, would that be a disservice to the list readers?
Probably, but it would engage some readers as well. Hence, the language
question cannot really be a rigid one, but rather quite fluid, and I suspect
that it is also a question of 'habitus', of feel for the game, as well.
In any event, I enjoy the spanish queries/discussion even if I miss quite
a bit of what goes by, and do not feel capable of engaging these queries/
discussion with any kind of answer. So, rather an approach the matter of
language *qua* appropriate language, I consider how best to engage readers/
potential contributors with material that might further stimulate discussion.
That language seems to be English *at the moment*, but I see no hard and
fast rule why that should necessarily be so. French would work as well, and
if it meant non-francophones making a little effort, or even a large one,
I don't see much wrong with that either given the topic of this list.

Charles J. Stivale
Dept. of Romance Languages          'Il n'y a pas lieu de craindre ou
   & Literatures                     d'esperer, mais de chercher
487 Manoogian                       de nouvelles armes.'
Wayne State University
Detroit, MI 48202                  'There is no need to fear or hope,
off: 313-577-6240/3002             but only to look for new weapons.'
fax: 313-577-6243                   -- Gilles Deleuze, _Pourparlers_
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