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

Why does Martin Scorsese want...

00:07:24

Why does Martin Scorsese want to use AI for filmmaking?

Moncrieff

00:07:24


How technology has changed the...

00:07:42

How technology has changed the way we watch the World Cup

Moncrieff

00:07:42


What would you do if you were...

00:14:08

What would you do if you were a trillionaire? - Henry McKean Reports

Moncrieff

00:14:08


Who are the political dynastie...

00:12:27

Who are the political dynasties of Ireland?

Moncrieff

00:12:27