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

The Traitors Ireland winners d...

00:07:58

The Traitors Ireland winners discuss the finale!

The Hard Shoulder

00:07:58


Technology to tackle wrong-way...

00:07:12

Technology to tackle wrong-way motorway driving up to 15 years away

The Hard Shoulder

00:07:12


Is remote working being phased...

00:09:10

Is remote working being phased out? - Henry McKean Reports

The Hard Shoulder

00:09:10


Parenting: Daughter has irrati...

00:18:09

Parenting: Daughter has irrational fears

Parenting On Moncrieff

00:18:09