Interests
Charles Dickens
Optical illusions – I am pleased to see that there is a Museum of Illusions in Madrid.
Language
Several years ago, I worked with optometrists at a time when there were a number of optometrists qualified to practice in Spain who wanted to practice in the UK. It made me wonder how many words there are in an optometrist’s vocabulary that a non-native English speaker has to learn to practice optometry in the UK. – I’ve no idea. But, I’d guess: 300.
My favourite singer is Bob Dylan, circa 1963 to 1981. For many years I collected foreign-language cover versions of his songs, including Spanish and Catalan covers. Although I don’t have the foreign language skills to know the answer to this, I subscribe to the view that translations should aim at giving the feel of the original, rather than the literal translation.
Small-world stories
I collect small-world stories. Example: You go on holiday to China. You’re walking down a crowded street and you run into a former colleague, who you had no idea was in China.
STEVEN KING
ENGLAND
