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

Luke O’Neill on the science of...

00:07:31

Luke O’Neill on the science of the cold plunge & sauna

The Pat Kenny Show

00:07:31


US, Trump, and Iran peace talk...

00:16:27

US, Trump, and Iran peace talks: What’s the latest

The Pat Kenny Show

00:16:27


Fuel protests: What’s the late...

00:15:14

Fuel protests: What’s the latest?

The Pat Kenny Show

00:15:14


Fuel protests: What is the way...

00:11:27

Fuel protests: What is the way forward?

The Pat Kenny Show

00:11:27