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

Age gaps in relationships - wh...

00:16:02

Age gaps in relationships - when does it become an issue?

Moncrieff

00:16:02


Why is fashion taking over ten...

00:09:21

Why is fashion taking over tennis?

Moncrieff

00:09:21


Moncrieff’s Murder Club: Dodgy...

00:15:00

Moncrieff’s Murder Club: Dodgy Doctors

Moncrieff

00:15:00


Should we have a language prof...

00:15:45

Should we have a language proficiency test for Irish citizenship?

Moncrieff

00:15:45