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

00:27:52

Winners and Sinners

The Hard Shoulder

00:27:52


Primary school teachers to beg...

00:11:00

Primary school teachers to begin industrial action on Monday

The Hard Shoulder

00:11:00


Sport with John Duggan: Build...

00:11:42

Sport with John Duggan: Build up to the next Ireland V Israel game

The Hard Shoulder

00:11:42


Bertie Ahern allegedly in talk...

00:08:42

Bertie Ahern allegedly in talks for mediator role in Drumcree

The Hard Shoulder

00:08:42