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

Winners and Sinners

00:27:57

Winners and Sinners

The Hard Shoulder

00:27:57


Special Olympics Collection Da...

00:06:13

Special Olympics Collection Day - Henry McKean Reports

The Hard Shoulder

00:06:13


Russia holds first parliamenta...

00:04:39

Russia holds first parliamentary elections since their invasion of Ukraine

The Hard Shoulder

00:04:39


How do Ireland's newest c...

00:06:39

How do Ireland's newest citizens feel about the incoming legislation?

The Hard Shoulder

00:06:39