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la langue de Shakespeare
Avant de revenir sur la séance de signature d’hier, finissons ce « stage d’anglais » ! Je fournis pour les amateurs de la langue de Shakespeare (mais, dans ce blog,
n’avons-nous pas pratiqué la langue de Shakespeare depuis le début ?), je fournis donc les deux versions que je possède de l’article et je mets en regard la version française…
When I first arrived in Wick in 1983 in charge of teaching French in the schools of Wick and Turso, I was quite eager to discover that area of northern Scotland which I felt attracted to because of its wild side.
DISCOVERING SINCLAIR AND GIRNIGOE CASTLE
La version française
La découverte de Sinclair and Girnigoe Casles
Lorsque je suis arrivé à Wick en 1983 avec la mission d'enseigner le français dans les écoles de Wick et
Thurso, j'avais envie de découvrir cette région du nord de l'Écosse qui m'attirait par son caractère sauvage.
Je finissais à l’époque mes études de littérature et j’étais grand lecteur de Shakespeare et de
Victor Hugo.
J'ai tout de suite été attiré par le secteur de la Baie des Sinclair, les falaises, la faune, les châteaux
que je découvrais l’un après l’autre : Auld Wick, Sinclair and Girnigoe, Ackergill Tower, Keiss, Bucholie… Pendant un an, j’ai sillonné les routes du Caithness sur un vieux vélo gentiment
donné par un habitant de Wick.
A Girnigoe et Sinclair, ce fut un véritable coup de foudre…
Je logeais à Wick, sur la Glamis Road, et il me suffisait d’effectuer trois miles pour me retrouver au
pied des châteaux.
Cette année là, j’y suis allé régulièrement, au moins une fois par semaine… Je prenais des photos.
J’observais les variations de la lumière, le passage des saisons. L’automne, lorsque la lande est mauve, l’hiver, sous la neige, le vent, le printemps, l’été…Les colonies d’oiseaux, les fleurs
dans les rochers, la clarté des soirs de solstice.
Lorsque des gens passaient à la maison, j’assurais évidemment la visite commentée du château ! Un
soir, nous avons même campé à proximité. Fasciné par l’impression de mystère qui régnait là, j’ai fait des recherches sur l'histoire locale et les légendes, lu des ouvrages, consulté à la
bibliothèque les vieilles éditions du John O’Groats Journal, interrogé les gens… Je me revois encore chez Mr Miller, un bol de porridge à la main, découvrir tous les détails de l’histoire de John
Sinclair « starved to death » au fond de son cachot. Le récit m’habitait. Je le racontais à quiconque voulait bien l’entendre. Lorsque je partais à la découverte des Highlands, à bord
de « l’Orcadian », le Caithness me manquait déjà. Mes amis, les autres assistants de français en poste dans les Highlands, me surnommaient le « Master of
Caithness ».
Et puis, ma mission terminée, je suis rentré en France.
En 1986, j'ai été nommé lecteur à l'université d’Aberdeen et suis revenu plusieurs fois à Wick, en
pèlerinage sur mes vieilles ruines !
Et depuis, tant de fois encore… En été 90, en voyage de noces, en été 92, avec des amis, en février 95, en
avril 97, en 98, en 99, en 2001, en 2003.
A l’heure actuelle, je suis installé en Bretagne où j’enseigne la littérature et anime un atelier de
création théâtrale. Avec mes deux enfants, Yann, six ans, Nolwenn, dix ans, et mon épouse Jennifer, aussi attachés que moi au Caithness, nous programmons notre prochain retour !
La version de Françoise
When I first arrived in Wick in 1983 in charge of teaching French in the schools of Wick and Turso, I was quite eager to discover that area of northern Scotland which I felt attracted to because of its wild side.
At that time I was finishing my literature studies and I was a great reader of Shakespeare and Victor
Hugo.
I instantly felt attracted t the area of the Sinclair Bay, the cliffs, the animals, the castles I discovered one after
the other: Auld Wick, Sinclair and Girnigoe, Ackergill Tower, Keiss, Bucholie… For one year I roamed on the roads of Caithness, riding a bike which I had been kindly given to by an inhabitant
from Wick.
At Girnigoe and Sinclair, it was love at fist sight…
I was then living at Wick, on Glamis Road and it was but a three miles’ walk to get to the foot of the
castles.
That year I went there regularly, at least once a week… I would take photos. I would examine the variations f the
light, the changing of the seasons: Autumn when the heath was purple. Winter in the snow and in the wind. Spring, summer… flocks of birds, flowers in the cranes of the rocks, the light of …………………
.
When people stopped at my place, I would of course offer them a commented visit of the castle. One evening, we even
camped next to it. Fascinated by the feeling of mystery which pervaded there, I made some research about the local history and legends, read some works, studied old editions of the John O’Groats
Journal at the library, interviewed some people… I can still remember myself at Mr Miller’s, holding my bowl of porridge and discovering all the details concerning the story of John Sinclair
“starved to death” in the depths of his cell. The story was in me. I would tell it to anyone who would care to listen to me. When on board the “Orcadian” to discover the Highlands, I would
already miss Caithness. My friends, the other French assistants had nicknamed me “the Master of Caithness”.
And then, my mission accomplished, I came back to France.
In 1986 I was appointed as a lecturer at Aberdeen University and went back several times to Wick, a pilgrim on my old
ruins.
And since then so many other times… During the summer of 1990 for my honeymoon, during the summer of 1992 with some
friends, in February 1995, in 98, in 99, In 2001, in 2003.
At the moment I am settled in Brittany where I teach literature and ……..
La version de Rena
Discovering Sinclair & Girnigoe Castles when I arrived in Wick in 1983 to
teach French as an "assistant" in Wick & Thurso High Schools, I wanted to
'discover' this area of the North of Scotland with its wild scenery which I
found so attractive. At this time I was completing my literature studies and was very fond of
reading Shakespeare & Victor Hugo.
I was immediately attracted by the area of Sinclair Bay, the cliffs, the
wildlife, the castles which I discovered one after the other: Old Wick,
Sinclair & Girnigoe, Ackergill Tower, Keiss, Buchollie...
During my year in Caithness, I travelled the roads on an old bike kindly given
to me by a Wick gentleman. At Sinclair & Girnigoe it was like falling in
love....
I was staying in Wick, in Glamis Road, only three miles away from the Castles.
That year, I went there regularly, at least once week. I took photos,
watched the light changing, the passage of the seasons, Autumn, when the
moorland is purple with heather, winter, in the snow, the wind... Spring,
summer. The bird colonies, the flowers in the rocks, the brightness of the
long summer evenings. When people came to visit me, I made sure, of course,
that they had a guided tour of the Castles! One evening, we even camped
nearby. Fascinated by the feeling of mystery which seemed to be all around me,
I researched local history & legends, read different literary works,
consulted old editions of the John O' Groat Journal in the library, questioned
people..........
I can still see myself in the house of Mr Miller (Old Stirkoke), a bowl of
porridge in my hands, discovering all the details of the story of John
Sinclair "starved to death" at the bottom of his dungeon. The story stayed
with me. I told it to anyone who wanted to hear it. When I was setting off to
tour the Highlands on board 'The Orcadian', I was already missing Caithness.
My friends, the other French "assistants" in the Highland Region, nicknamed me
"Master of Caithness". And then, my placement over, I went back to France.
In 1986, I was appointed lecturer in Aberdeen University, and came back
several times to Wick, on pilgrimage to my old ruins!
And, since then, so any times...summer 1990, on honeymoon, summer of '92,
withfriends, February'95, April'97,'98,'99,2001,2003. At present, I am settled in Brittany where I teach literature and direct
theatre workshops. With my two children -Yann, 6 and Nolwenn 10, and my wife
Jennifer who are as attached to Caithness as I am, we are planning our next
trip back.
teach French as an "assistant" in Wick & Thurso High Schools, I wanted to
'discover' this area of the North of Scotland with its wild scenery which I
found so attractive. At this time I was completing my literature studies and was very fond of
reading Shakespeare & Victor Hugo.
I was immediately attracted by the area of Sinclair Bay, the cliffs, the
wildlife, the castles which I discovered one after the other: Old Wick,
Sinclair & Girnigoe, Ackergill Tower, Keiss, Buchollie...
During my year in Caithness, I travelled the roads on an old bike kindly given
to me by a Wick gentleman. At Sinclair & Girnigoe it was like falling in
love....
I was staying in Wick, in Glamis Road, only three miles away from the Castles.
That year, I went there regularly, at least once week. I took photos,
watched the light changing, the passage of the seasons, Autumn, when the
moorland is purple with heather, winter, in the snow, the wind... Spring,
summer. The bird colonies, the flowers in the rocks, the brightness of the
long summer evenings. When people came to visit me, I made sure, of course,
that they had a guided tour of the Castles! One evening, we even camped
nearby. Fascinated by the feeling of mystery which seemed to be all around me,
I researched local history & legends, read different literary works,
consulted old editions of the John O' Groat Journal in the library, questioned
people..........
I can still see myself in the house of Mr Miller (Old Stirkoke), a bowl of
porridge in my hands, discovering all the details of the story of John
Sinclair "starved to death" at the bottom of his dungeon. The story stayed
with me. I told it to anyone who wanted to hear it. When I was setting off to
tour the Highlands on board 'The Orcadian', I was already missing Caithness.
My friends, the other French "assistants" in the Highland Region, nicknamed me
"Master of Caithness". And then, my placement over, I went back to France.
In 1986, I was appointed lecturer in Aberdeen University, and came back
several times to Wick, on pilgrimage to my old ruins!
And, since then, so any times...summer 1990, on honeymoon, summer of '92,
withfriends, February'95, April'97,'98,'99,2001,2003. At present, I am settled in Brittany where I teach literature and direct
theatre workshops. With my two children -Yann, 6 and Nolwenn 10, and my wife
Jennifer who are as attached to Caithness as I am, we are planning our next
trip back.
Glorious skies in Caithness...
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