Heroes Not Zombies

There are some words in French which I really like but find hard to translate directly into English. It’s not that I don’t understand the particular French word, but more that I have to think less like a dictionary and more like a thesaurus to cover the multiple nuances of meaning.

Emerveillement is one of those. I’ve mentioned that many times and you can pop that into the search box at the top of my blog and find a number of articles about it. It covers elements of wonder, awe and joy.

Épanouissement is another. It’s often used to refer to the blossoming of a flower but is also used to refer to human development and flourishing. Thriving would be another aspect to throw in there, so putting those connotations together it’s a good word to consider when thinking “what is health”?

“Bon vivant” is another one. This clothes shop in Cognac is called “Aux bons vivants” which would translate as something like “to those who live well”. The thing about “bon vivant” is that it means someone who loves life, someone who enjoys fine food and drink, someone who is concerned about quality and who enthusiastically enjoys life’s sensations…..in the sense of enjoying sensuality.

But “bon vivant” is one of those phrases which has made it into English and an English speaker who knows no French might use it like how “entrepreneur” is used in English. Was it George Bush who was alleged to have said “The French don’t even have a word for entrepreneur”?

In making its way into English however it seems to have acquired some negativity. It can often be used in a judgemental way to refer to someone who likes “fine things”, is “sophisticated” and a bit superior, or even someone a bit greedy. But I don’t think it ever carried those negative judgements in the original French.

To be someone who wants to live well you need to be passionate about life, to rate quality over quantity, to savour and enjoy the sensations of experience.

I love that. If you can park the judgements then you can find much to relish, much to appreciate in the life of a “bon vivant”.

I mean who doesn’t want to live “a good life”?