From time to time an idea is presented to you which knocks you sideways, leaving you reeling and setting off some very deep self-questioning.
That was the case for me very recently, when the suggestion arose - partly out of a light-hearted conversation - that publishing a multilingual blog was a manifestation of self-obsession, or an attempt at showing off.
This led me to think long and hard about what my reasons for starting the blog were, which perhaps rather proves the point being made. Funny thing is, I didn't really give very much thought to the reasons for starting a blog before I started it - I just got on with it.
Of course, once you've published anything on the web you've really no control over what anyone's going to make of it. Some people might think it's the bees knees, and others just think "what a wanker!". Which is all as it should be.
But why did I do it? And in particular, why the multilingual idea? Well, as much as I do think that there's a big dollop of the performer in many linguists, this blog isn't here as a kind of cabaret act for me to show off the fact that I'm into languages. What an appalling thought.
It was actually started as a bit of an experiment. A blog is a bit like your front room on the internet, where you cordially invite guests and discuss things. The things may be quite banal but that's not the point. A bit of a spirit of community is created - although that's rather a grand word. Perhaps a cup of tea round at my place is more like it.
I wanted to see whether it would be possible for me to create that community feeling in more than just the English language part of cyberspace, and stay in touch with my non-Anglophone pals into the bargain. To see whether I could be part of more than just my British culture, and maybe engage with what was happening elsewhere.
Alas, keeping even one blog fresh and interesting takes quite a lot of time and effort, and it's not really been possible to keep the non-English ones alive. It may be time for a bit of a re-jig soon. But it was interesting finding that out, and I think it's good to have at least briefly made a tiny stand against the English-only perception of these islands of ours.
Is it all about me? Well, any diary is about its writer to a greater or lesser extent. But for me, this all about communicating. With you. I'm constantly flabberghasted that anyone reads this - but I'm delighted that you do. It would be very lonely here without you!
I wouldn't worry too much about it. Trumpeting your strengths and achievements is part of being human. Everyone needs to feel that who they are and what they do is recognised and appreciated. We all need a bit of validation.
If you pretend to be something that you're not or exagerate the importance of your positive qualities and accomplishments, then that's perhaps a different matter. But that's not the case here.
No-one is forced to read your blog and if someone doesn't like it then they can go elsewhere.
Whilst one of the functions of your blog might be to make you feel good, it is also a place where you can share things that have some value or meaning for you, a means of staying in touch with friends and a forum for batting around ideas.
It can also be entertaining and inspirational.
I would suggest that the comments about self-obsession and showing off say as much about the speaker's inadequacies and fears as they do about yours.
Posted by: Shyboy at September 20, 2003 6:01 PM
Hear, hear!!!
Thanks both of you!
I should add that I don't think the original suggestion was made in any way maliciously - it was all a bit of a joke I think... it just got me thinking.
Posted by: Eurodan at September 23, 2003 1:01 AMI'd say that writing a blog without having thought much about why is probably evidence in itself of not being unhealthily self-obsessed.
In any case, it's far too late to start worrying about that sort of thing now. You have a responsibility to your readers to keep going. Especially since you keep moving out of range in real life!
Posted by: matt at September 23, 2003 12:57 PMMaybe you should put it to the person that made this suggestion that the only bad thing it may indicate (psychologically speaking) is that the people who surround you aren't a good enough vent for your intellect and passion towards to world and especially language. Accept the fact that your fab and shout it loud.
xxxx