Untranslatable.

There are some very special words that exist in the world. Not to say that all words are not special in their own right. But, these in particular far exceed most.

These are known as the untranslatable words. Words that are so unique that they do not have translations in other languages. These are the words to be used for something you have felt, but have no word for. Some of them being so enlightening or beautiful, they could take your breath away.

These words, despite not having direct translation to the English language, have therefore been adapted. To give us a few words or sentences for an idea or meaning.

Such words as:

Saudade: A melancholy nostalgia for something that perhaps has not even happened. (Portuguese and Galician)

Or:

Komorebi: The sunlight that filters through the leaves of the trees. (Japanese)

Untranslatable words have a knack for purveying complexity of ideas and emotions. A feeling. A phrase boiled down to a simple word, adapted to one language from another, borrowing on the formers words to help translate it into the latter language for understanding. They are sometimes the only way to share a deep emotion to the physical world.

Hygge is one of the untranslatable words that has gained popularity and a following for it's lifestyle purposes. The meaning being, the act of being cozy with sweaters, candles, contentment and comfort. An incredible amount of books have been written about this one word. But it is also one of the rare words that can sum up a very specific act.

Some question if a word is truly ever untranslatable. I for one, feel a sense of untranslatability. There are just certain things that exist in life that are hard to put a voice to. And these particular words do their best in aiding that ability. They are a powerful force that reminds us that all of our complex emotions, and all of our desires to understand beauty is global. They bring all of us just a bit closer.

If you would like to explore the beauty of untranslatable words, check out these books at our library.

"Other-Wordly: words both strange and lovely from around the world" - By Yee-Lum Mak

"What a Wonderful Word" - By Nicola Edwards