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

Parenting: 4-year-old won'...

00:14:09

Parenting: 4-year-old won't quit the bottle

Parenting On Moncrieff

00:14:09


How do you get into skiing thi...

00:12:17

How do you get into skiing this winter?

Moncrieff

00:12:17


International Singles Day: How...

00:11:29

International Singles Day: How has dating changed?

Moncrieff

00:11:29


Moncrieff’s Murder Club: Wrong...

00:17:33

Moncrieff’s Murder Club: Wrongful Convictions

Moncrieff

00:17:33