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

Why Is Ireland Still Avoiding...

00:22:32

Why Is Ireland Still Avoiding a Statutory Covid Inquiry?

Newstalk Daily

00:22:32


How should lonely young people...

00:13:42

How should lonely young people be supported?

The Hard Shoulder

00:13:42


The Bookshelf with Fergus Finl...

00:16:19

The Bookshelf with Fergus Finlay

The Hard Shoulder

00:16:19


Andrew McGinley on Deirdre Mor...

00:16:43

Andrew McGinley on Deirdre Morely inquest lawsuit

The Hard Shoulder

00:16:43