Tales from the front line � Finding the right words for Pain and Courage

�Je suis fini,� I told the librarian in the subterranean Bibliotheque Nationale, to guffaws of laughter. �Vous avez fini,� he reprimanded me as he brought his laughter under control. Yes, I agreed with him I had finished but in English we might also say �I am finished for the day or with these books.� Clearly, [...]