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

Best of Futureproof: Mirror Li...

00:44:41

Best of Futureproof: Mirror Life & The Science of Embalming

Futureproof With Jonathan McCrea

00:44:41


How does the immune system aff...

00:18:48

How does the immune system affect how we age?

Alive And Kicking With Clare McKenna

00:18:48


'Should I contact my ex after...

00:11:38

'Should I contact my ex after 40 years?': Listener Question

Alive And Kicking With Clare McKenna

00:11:38


Alive and Kicking Full Episode...

00:47:20

Alive and Kicking Full Episode 21/12/25

Alive And Kicking With Clare McKenna

00:47:20