Introduction to the Untranslatables
As I mentioned earlier, I am immersed in creating a book dedicated to those words that defy direct translation, the wonderful 'untranslatables'. Each week I'll take you behind the scenes to reveal the essence of these unique words.
The heart of France: the Bricoleurs
Today we dive into the heart of France to explore the world of 'bricoleurs', people whose skill and ingenuity go beyond simple DIY. Are you ready to discover how this word captures the essence of French wit in all its glory?
What is a Bricoleur?
Imagine someone who, with a touch of magic and a lot of creativity, transforms ordinary objects into something extraordinary. That's the essence of a "bricoleur" or "bricoleuse" (the feminine form of "bricoleur"). In French, "bricoleur" originally referred to someone skilled in home repairs and small fixes, a kind of do-it-yourselfer full of wit and skill.
Origins and evolution of the term
"Bricoleur" is a masculine noun derived from the verb "bricoler", which means "to DIY" or "to tinker". This verb in turn comes from the word "bricole", which means "trinket" or "knick-knack". According to the "Diccionario de la lengua francesa", the word "bricoleur" first appeared in the 19th century, meaning "a person who works with bricoles".
The Bricoleur mindset
The idea of carefully planning what you're going to do, step by step, preparing the materials and tools you need to do the job in advance... That's not the bricoleur's way. Bricoleurs are more about improvising and making decisions on the fly, changing their minds and plans without hesitation as things come up.
More than just DIY
But did you know that there is more to it than that? The famous French anthropologist Claude Lévi-Strauss expanded the meaning of "bricoleur" in his work "La Pensée Sauvage". Here, "bricoleur" becomes a symbol of the "savage" or primitive mind that creates and solves problems with what is at hand, as opposed to the "civilised" mind that plans and builds with specific tools and methods.
The bricoleur in different fields
The concept of the bricoleur has also been explored in education, information technology and the visual arts. In education, it is seen as a way of learning and solving problems through experimentation and play, as opposed to a more traditional analytical approach. In information technology, the term 'bricoleur' refers to an approach in which strategic information systems are created in an improvised and flexible way.
The bricoleur and art
The "bricoleur" also has a special place in the arts, where artists use a wide range of knowledge to create works full of imagination and ingenuity, using all their skills to create complex and critical works.
Bricoleur in culture and everyday life
"Bricoleur" is a word that reflects the culture and lifestyle of the French, who value ingenuity, creativity and autonomy. It is also a word that has spread to other countries and contexts where it is used to express admiration, respect or irony towards people who do DIY. "Bricoleur" is a way of being and doing, of facing problems and making the most of resources.
The essence of the bricoleur
The bricoleur is a specialist in combinatorial logic, a craftsman who creates objects by rearranging other objects. This ability to play and explore what is possible, to experiment, to learn, to have fun, and to make something at one's own risk in order to solve current problems, is the mark of a true bricoleur.
And what about you, don't you feel like becoming a "bricoleur" or a "bricoleuse"?
References:
• “Claude Levi Strauss' Concept of Bricolage“, Literary Theory and Criticism.
• “Bricolage“, article on Wikipedia.
• “Bricoleur“, definition in Wiktionary.
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