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The untranslatable words that you love | ||
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 Language Learning Forum : General discussion |  | |
| Gerund Newbie United States Joined 4616 days ago 12 posts - 17 votes Speaks: English* Studies: Spanish, Swedish | Message 1 of 61 31 October 2011 at 12:26am | IP Logged | ||
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"Hygge." This is the word that pulled me back to learning languages. For those who do
not know, Wikipedia describes "hygge" as "spending a calm, comfortable time with good friends or loved ones, often while enjoying good food, snacks and something to drink. Lighting candlelights is also often associated with "hygge". Christmas time, when loved ones sit close together with candles lit on a cold rainy night, is a true moment of 'hygge.'" I'm sure native Danes might quibble with that, but it at least gives an idea. While I remain an outsider to Danish culture, I am captivated by this concept, especially as I view language-learning as a means to meet new friends. I will save the details of my language journey for another post, but as I have returned my focus to this noble pursuit, I have found my very favorite moments to be the discovery of a word that defies translation into my native tongue. Not only is each such instance intriguing, but they also leave me with the thrilling feeling that I am one small step closer to understanding the human condition. While I am studying Swedish for family reasons, words such as "hygge" (or another favorite of mine, the Portuguese concept of "saudade") are why I find myself more motivated than ever before to move beyond the beginner and intermediate levels in multiple languages. What are your favorite words that defy translation? 3 persons have voted this message useful | |||
| Mauritz Octoglot Senior Member Sweden Joined 4880 days ago 223 posts - 325 votes  Speaks: Swedish*, EnglishC2, Italian, Spanish, Russian, Turkish, Esperanto, French Studies: Old English, Yiddish, Arabic (Written), Mandarin, Korean, Portuguese, Welsh, Icelandic, Afrikaans | Message 2 of 61 31 October 2011 at 12:31am | IP Logged | ||
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Lagom is an old Swedish classic, approximately meaning "just the right amount", but it
encompasses so much more. 1 person has voted this message useful | |||
| PaulLambeth Senior Member United Kingdom Joined 5185 days ago 244 posts - 315 votes Speaks: English* Studies: Icelandic, Hindi, Irish | Message 3 of 61 31 October 2011 at 12:36am | IP Logged | ||
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Hygge! I have none that I can think of to add, but seeing the word hygge makes me happy. While trying to find out how to pronounce it (I'd have asked you for an IPA transcription if forvo.com didn't exist) I saw the translation into English as 'fun'. No way. Untranslatable indeed.
I'll keep an eye on this thread to see if there are any more nuggets of linguistic sweetness that I can memorise for the future. Great thread idea. 2 persons have voted this message useful | |||
| HMS Senior Member England Joined 4919 days ago 143 posts - 256 votes Speaks: English* | Message 4 of 61 31 October 2011 at 12:47am | IP Logged | ||
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Is hygge the same as the dutch 'gezellig'?
I think 'shadenfreude' is an awsome word. 1 person has voted this message useful | |||
| Gerund Newbie United States Joined 4616 days ago 12 posts - 17 votes Speaks: English* Studies: Spanish, Swedish | Message 5 of 61 31 October 2011 at 12:53am | IP Logged | ||
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Apparently, hygge is similar to "gezellig" and also to the German word, "gemütlichkeit."
I don't know enough Dutch or German to say whether there is any nuance distinguishing the three. I had not yet come across "lagom" in my Swedish studies, but it sounds exactly like what I'm talking about! I will have to go look for some context to improve my understanding there. This is already very interesting. Are there any non-native English speakers out there who have favorite English words that are difficult to translate? I've always wondered about that... 1 person has voted this message useful | |||
| PaulLambeth Senior Member United Kingdom Joined 5185 days ago 244 posts - 315 votes Speaks: English* Studies: Icelandic, Hindi, Irish | Message 6 of 61 31 October 2011 at 12:57am | IP Logged | ||
Schadenfreude's a useful word, although significantly less smile-inducing a concept than hygge. I'm disappointed in myself - or maybe I should be pleased that they make an effort to spread useful words to a mainly teenage fanbase - that I first learned Schadenfreude from Bloc Party's 'The Once And Future King' (but if I remember correctly he pronounced it 'Schadenfreud'). 1 person has voted this message useful | |||
| ciaran Triglot Newbie Wales Joined 4587 days ago 2 posts - 8 votes Speaks: English, Welsh*, French Studies: German, Breton | Message 7 of 61 31 October 2011 at 1:33am | IP Logged | ||
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How about the Welsh word 'hiraeth'. From Wikipedia:
"Hiraeth /hɪəraɪ̯θ/ is a Welsh word that has no direct English translation. However, the University of Wales, Lampeter attempts to define it as homesickness tinged with grief or sadness over the lost or departed. It is a mix of longing, yearning, nostalgia, wistfulness, and the earnest desire for the Wales of the past." Or perhaps 'cwtch'. From Urban Dictionary: "Snuggling and cuddling and loving and protecting and safeguarding and claiming, all rolled into one. There is an element of intimacy, earnestness and ownership in this Welsh word (recently adopted into the OED) that the closest English equivalents, "cuddle", "snuggle" and "hug" lack." 4 persons have voted this message useful | |||
| strikingstar Bilingual Tetraglot Senior Member United States Joined 4985 days ago 292 posts - 444 votes Speaks: English*, Mandarin*, Cantonese, Swahili Studies: Spanish, Arabic (Written) | Message 8 of 61 31 October 2011 at 1:45am | IP Logged | ||
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One of the first words I ever learnt in Swahili was "Shikamoo" (pronounced Shikamoe).
Literally translated, it means "I hold your feet". It's a respectful way of greeting your elders. (The importance of greetings in East African culture cannot be overstated.) Some people frown on its use because they view it as a throwback to the days of slavery. The standard response to "Shikamoo" is "Marahaba", usually said in a singsong manner. "Marahaba" is an incredibly fun word to say out loud. I heard this phrase very often in Tibet: tashi delek.
Edited by strikingstar on 31 October 2011 at 2:07am 1 person has voted this message useful |
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