Resisting Translation

The Magic of "Untranslatable" Words

What we can learn about the world and ourselves from foreign words that have no equivalent in English

Tim Lomas | July 12, 2016

Frisson. What a strange word. It evokes that peculiar intermingling of excitement and fear that can attend momentous events. The spark of electricity when you lock eyes with someone who is yet unknown to you, but who might just be ‘the one.’  The queasy sensation of anxious adrenaline when a big news story breaks. The fearful joy as you plunge downhill on a vertiginous rollercoaster. The word ‘thrill’ perhaps comes close. But not quite. As such, realising that all near-equivalents in English are imperfect, we gladly alight upon the French loanword. And as we do, our existence feels just a little richer and more nuanced.

30 Untranslatable Words From Other Languages Illustrated By Anjana Iyer

1. Fernweh (German)

2. Komorebi (Japanese)

3. Tingo (Pascuense)

4. Pochemuchka (Russian)

5. Gökotta (Swedish)

6. Bakku-shan (Japanese)

7. Backpfeifengesicht (German)

8. Aware (Japanese)

9. Tsundoku (Japanese)

10. Shlimazl (Yiddish)

11. Rire dans sa barbe (French)

12. Waldeinsamkeit (German)

13. Hanyauku (Rukwangali)

14. Gattara (Italian)

15. Prozvonit (Czech)

16. Iktsuarpok (Inuit)

17. Papakata (Cook Islands Maori)

18. Friolero (Spanish)

19. Schilderwald (German)

20. Utepils (Norwegian)

21. Mamihlapinatapei (Yagan)

22. Culaccino (Italian)

23. Ilunga (Tshiluba)

24. Kyoikumama (Japanese)

25. Age-otori (Japanese)

26. Chai-Pani (Hindi)

27. Won (Korean)

28. Tokka (Finnish)

29. Schadenfreude (German)

30. Wabi-Sabi (Japanese)

Source: http://www.boredpanda.com/untranslatable-words-found-in-translation-anjana-iyer/ (30 Untranslatable Words From Other Languages Illustrated By Anjana Iyer)

<more at http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-magic-of-untranslatable-words/; related articles and links: https://www.babbel.com/en/magazine/untranslatable-01 (+Video) (Untranslatable Words From Around The World. 2016) and http://www.boredpanda.com/untranslatable-words-found-in-translation-anjana-iyer/ (30 Untranslatable Words From Other Languages Illustrated By Anjana Iyer. 2014)>