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

Director John Kelly talks ‘Ret...

00:10:52

Director John Kelly talks ‘Retirement Plan’

Moncrieff

00:10:52


Why are non-fiction sales slum...

00:10:02

Why are non-fiction sales slumping?

Moncrieff

00:10:02


Controversy over Canadian PM n...

00:13:16

Controversy over Canadian PM not using Canadian English

Moncrieff

00:13:16


What does Christmas look like...

00:18:53

What does Christmas look like when you’re homeless? - Henry McKean Reports

Moncrieff

00:18:53