Advertisement

What are ‘untranslatable’ words?

Language necessarily evolves to accommodate new ideas, new concepts and new cultural paradigms. B...

Share this article

15.22 26 Mar 2025


What are ‘untranslatable’ words?


Listen to this episode


Share this article

15.22 26 Mar 2025


Language necessarily evolves to accommodate new ideas, new concepts and new cultural paradigms.

But, what happens when a word exists in one language, but not another?

There are lots of so-called ‘untranslatable’ words in English, and some Irish ones have been added to the latest version of the Oxford English Dictionary.

Fiona McPherson is Senior Editor at the Oxford English Dictionary and joins Seán to discuss.


Read more about

Moncrieff Highlights

Related Episodes

Has Ireland's relationshi...

00:13:17

Has Ireland's relationship with alcohol changed?

The Claire Byrne Show

00:13:17


Calls to address household emi...

00:05:00

Calls to address household emissions and reduce exposure to fossil fuel price volatility

Newstalk Breakfast

00:05:00


Wildfires continue to burn acr...

00:08:13

Wildfires continue to burn across France and Spain

Newstalk Breakfast

00:08:13


Has the Government done enough...

00:09:16

Has the Government done enough to end the criminal legal aid row?

Newstalk Breakfast

00:09:16