untranslatable words: all articles

Every language has words that trigger personal truths, national histories, or cultural peculiarities; words that resonate in heart and mind as well as on the tongue. Can we translate the untranslatable?
Thursday 27th March

Sakura

Misaki Kamouchi, 27 March 2008
The annual cherry-blossom moment makes personal and collective life-cycles rhyme 
Thursday 25th November

Tubli

Ülle Allsalu, 25 November 2004
Being “tubli” in a “tubli” country is not as easy as it sounds. Ülle Allsalu on small beginnings and high expectations in Estonia.
Thursday 18th November

Inat

Aleksandra Kovac, 18 November 2004
Serbs’ history has taught them stubbornness in the face of the world – and even of their own best interests.
Thursday 11th November

Suyunchi

Anora Mahmudova, 11 November 2004
The luckiest person in Uzbekistan is the bearer of good news.
Thursday 4th November

Lung

Maria Chan, 4 November 2004
The protean character of the Chinese dragon echoes, consoles and inspires throughout life’s cycle, explains Maria Chan.
Wednesday 27th October

Polari

Tom Wicker, 27 October 2004
The clandestine culture of illegal homosexuality in Britain generated a creative linguistic response. Tom Wicker traces a hidden history.
Wednesday 20th October

Random

Bill Thompson, 20 October 2004
Computer programmers aren’t quite a different species – many of them breed successfully – but they do speak a different language, one which overlaps only contingently with English.
Tuesday 12th October

Kombinowanie

Anna Barcikowska, 12 October 2004
The Poles perfected the art of survival under communism, and reinvented their language in the process; but at what cost to their soul?
Wednesday 6th October

Krengjai

Ratchada Chitrada, 6 October 2004
Ratchada Chitrada considers being considerate in Thai
Tuesday 28th September

Braai

Damian French, 28 September 2004
Wherever South Africans gather, a “braai” is not far behind. Damian French stands close to the fire.
Wednesday 22nd September

Podiet' sa

Juliana Sokolova, 22 September 2004
A Slovak word evoking physical loss and emotional ruin, with strong folkloric associations, makes Juliana Sokolova feel close to home.
Thursday 16th September

Die Wirtschaft

Nicola Wissbrock, 16 September 2004
A deceptively plain German word can evoke the practical, convivial and even the spiritual aspects of modern Germany, finds Nicola Wissbrock.
Wednesday 8th September

Dude

Caroline Bhalla, 8 September 2004
Caroline Bhalla rises above the languor of beach and freeway to extend a welcome to Southern California.
Wednesday 1st September

Pohoda

David Short, 1 September 2004
David Short untangles the threads of pleasure in pohoda, which keep on spreading for Czechs.
Wednesday 25th August

Taarof

Nazila Fathi, 25 August 2004
Are you being “taarofed”?! Nazila Fathi on Persia's elusive charms.
Wednesday 18th August

Lagom

Sara Forsstrom, 18 August 2004
Sara Forsstrom looks in the Swedish national mirror and falls out of love.
Wednesday 11th August

Kaphkhana

Herpreet Kaur Grewal, 11 August 2004
Herpreet Kaur Grewal explains the verbal brawling and lightning wit of Punjabi “kapkhana”
Wednesday 4th August

Pertu

Zsuzsanna Ardó, 4 August 2004
Recipe for Hungarian love-making: first, call your partner te, advises Zsuzsanna Ardó
Wednesday 21st July

Besa

Alma Kushova, 21 July 2004
Alma Kushova unlocks an Albanian word steeped in mountain-lore and unbreakable promises.
Wednesday 14th July

Glas

Menna Elfyn, 14 July 2004
Welsh poet Menna Elfyn looks through “glas”.
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