THE PLACE OF WOMENT IN LITERATUREAND IN LANGUAGE REFLECTS THEIR PLACE INSOCIETYMELBOURNE. SYDNEY OCT.85

First, I would like to say that I thoughtI knew English ... and managed pretty well until the day I began was invited, 10years go to deliver lecture, in that languagein American Universities on Ainsi soit-Elle. In fact, I did learnEnglish at the same time as colloquial lggelanguage...But when it comes to intell. French topics, things getthough ! And it's very depressing, especially fora writer, not to find the correct words.

I hope you'll be indulgent and give me the credit that I am brighter when I speakFrench than English.

Paul Valery, one of our famous poets, said that writing was a revenge for those whohave only AFTER-WIT(we say in French: l'espritde l'escalier - staircase wit ! (meaning we usuallyfind the good answers when we're on our wayout. I think in that respect I am a writer !