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

The Ultimate Guide: Cruises

00:10:54

The Ultimate Guide: Cruises

The Hard Shoulder

00:10:54


Should period products be avai...

00:07:28

Should period products be available in schools?

The Hard Shoulder

00:07:28


How much pressure is being put...

00:10:55

How much pressure is being put on parents with increased school fees?

The Hard Shoulder

00:10:55


The Bookshelf with Brenda Powe...

00:12:57

The Bookshelf with Brenda Power

The Hard Shoulder

00:12:57