I am not “surdouée”, I am unique. (Engl: over-gifted)

Why I'm unique and not "surdouée"

When translated into English, the French term "surdoué(e)" describes someone as being "above-gifted" or "over-gifted". The prefix 'sur' not only suggests the idea of classification, but also superiority. As a result, France is one of the countries in the world where gifted people hide their true selves away the most. The embarrassment linked to this peculiar French term and reactions from the public - "If you are OVER, then am I UNDER?" - are cause for concern. Singular individuals certainly don't consider themselves superior, but these reactions force them into silence. In a society that likes to rank everything and focuses too much on the mental and the analytical, the "surdoué(e)s" are viewed as the ultimate version of intelligence, even though this is fortunately not the case.

My uniqueness is actually quite different.

I am driven by learning and understanding.

I enjoy solving complex problems, coming up with innovative solutions, quickly understanding a situation and the world around me, being interested in several subjects at once, being (too) lucid, developing a vision. All these things are natural to me but may seem strange to others. The English speak of "gifted" people, who have received a gift. The Chinese describe these people as having "skills that have fallen from the sky". There's definitely a magic to being a singular woman, and it really is something to be seen as a gift to oneself and others, rather than a burden.