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

00:27:31

Winners and Sinners

The Hard Shoulder

00:27:31


Colonel Chris Hadfield discuss...

00:07:48

Colonel Chris Hadfield discusses the Artemis II mission!

The Hard Shoulder

00:07:48


How does the water cremation p...

00:08:01

How does the water cremation process work?

The Hard Shoulder

00:08:01


Sport with John Duggan: McIlro...

00:08:26

Sport with John Duggan: McIlroy ties lead at the Masters

The Hard Shoulder

00:08:26