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: The Comback, Sp...

00:15:57

Movies and TV: The Comback, Splitsville, Bait

The Hard Shoulder

00:15:57


Excitement in Prague ahead of...

00:07:49

Excitement in Prague ahead of the Ireland and Czechia game - Henry McKean Reports

The Hard Shoulder

00:07:49


Israel says it has killed Iran...

00:07:05

Israel says it has killed Iran Navy Chief overseeing Strait of Hormuz blockade

The Hard Shoulder

00:07:05


The Thursday Interview: Cora S...

00:09:37

The Thursday Interview: Cora Staunton

The Hard Shoulder

00:09:37