JK Rowling Harvard Commencement Speech Part 1 - June 5 2008

"Quixotic" is from Cervantes' Don Quixote and has come to mean taking up ridiculous or hopeless causes ( like attacking imaginary enemies).

The other bit you're missing is "I know the irony strikes with the force of a cartoon anvil now, but..."

I have finally finished the first part of it, only minor blank spaces.

"...that would never pay mortgage or secure a pension." After this sentence I understood nothing of the next one. I did write down something, though I guess it lacks any sense. Could you guys help me (again)? It's around 3:50. Thanks, in advance.

hi where are u from?? i am from Venezuela and i am trying to traslate this speech to spanish, would you like to help me?? i also wrote down part of the speech..!

Hi, there. Unfortunately, I am from Hungary, so every popular language for me is a foreign one, though I learn both English and Spanish and I have just started Chineese. I have to say that I love your language, but I am afraid that I haven't reached the level on which I could give you a helping hand. Although, you can try.

"These may seem quixotic or paradoxical choices, but bear with me..."

Nice, I have recieved two different answers, though, I guess yours will be the chosen one. Thanks for the help, both of you. Could you come up once or twice in the following hours? I am afraid that the famous author uses quite rare words. I have never seen the word "quixotic" before.

Guys, you have to help me.
I have to write down the whole speech after listening to it several hundred times. Around 3:00 after the sentence "And as you stand on the threshold of what is sometimes called real life, I want to
extoll the crucial importance of imagination" comes the next one. The problem is I simply do not understand the first words of it. Can anybody help me?

"It may seem exotical or paradoxical choices but they're with me."
Greetings

mine too!

She's one of those people who completely deserves every single penny (or schilling I guess) that she has earned!