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

Movies and TV: Star Wars, Kyli...

00:13:48

Movies and TV: Star Wars, Kylie, The Crash

The Hard Shoulder

00:13:48


Colbert’s Late Show to end ton...

00:08:42

Colbert’s Late Show to end tonight - will you be watching?

The Hard Shoulder

00:08:42


Study reveals 1 in 168 Irish c...

00:06:24

Study reveals 1 in 168 Irish children are living with life-limiting conditions

The Hard Shoulder

00:06:24


How do you master the art of s...

00:11:51

How do you master the art of small talk?

The Hard Shoulder

00:11:51