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There are a lot of different aspects that go into a good translation of a text from one language to another. It is so much more than just a word-for-word exchange. A good translation is going to account for the words themselves, the culture of both languages, the context of the words, idiomatic language, and so much more. When translating something, a good translator will use their vast knowledge to choose the appropriate word that conveys the meaning of the original word or phrase.
Friedrich Nietzscheonce said, “Words are but symbols for the relations of things to one another and to us.” When thinking about translation, one of the most important things that you need to understand is that words are more than just mere descriptors. Words don’t just describe some single thing. They reflect ideas, relationships, attitudes, values, and more.
Words are arbitrary symbols to convey our feelings. Since every single human is different and has different ideas, it is extremely hard to convey the precise meaning of what you are feeling, even to someone who speaks your own language. If you add in a language barrier, this gets 100% harder. Some people even believe that technically nothing can be really translated because language is so interwoven with culture that you can’t separate the two.
With over 6,000 languages spoken on Earth, it is crazy to think about all the different meanings and ideas that people try to convey. Language sets out to describe human life, but your culture and language effect the way you see the world, and, therefore, no language can perfectly convey the human experience.
One example of the complexity of language is the principle that every language on Earth contains words that don’t exist in other languages. Sure, these words can be defined, but there is no direct translation. Geography, religion, history, and climate are just some of the factors that lead languages to invent such words. Here are a few examples of untranslatable words and phrases:
Jayus: This is an Indian term referring to a joke that is so bad that you can’t help but laugh.
Backpfeifengesicht: A German word that means a face that is in bad need of a fist.
Det foll mellan stolarna: A Swedish idiom that translates to English as “it fell between the chair.” However, it actually refers to an excuse for when two people were supposed to do something, but no one did.
Toska: This is a Russian word that means the deepest and most painful spiritual anguish or the dull ache of the soul: a longing with nothing to long for.
Han: Han is a Korean concept that is explained as a feeling of unresolved resentment against injustices suffered. It is also described as a collective feeling of oppression and isolation. It is viewed to be a distinctive Korean cultural trait.
Abbiocco: This is an Italian term that refers to the drowsy feeling that you get after a big meal.
Les carottes sont cuites: This is a French phrase that literally translates to “the carrots are cooked.” However, in French, it means “the situation can’t be changed.” It is similar to the English phrase “there’s no use crying over spilt milk.”
L’Esprit de l’escalier: This is another French phrase. It refers to the act of thinking of a witty comeback after it is too late to actually make it.
Bakku-Shan: A Japanese word that refers to a beautiful girl … that is beautiful as long as she is being viewed from behind.
Friolero: A Spanish term that means a person who is especially sensitive to cold weather and temperatures.
Komorebi: A Japanese term that refers to the sort of scattered, dappled light effect that happens when sunlight shines through the trees.
Guanxi: This is a Mandarin word that needs context to even understand its meaning. In traditional Chinese culture, you create good guanxi for yourself by giving gifts to people or doing something good for someone else.
Won: Won is a Korean term that means the reluctance of a person to let go of an illusion.
Iktsuarpok: This is an Inuit term that refers to the frustration of waiting for someone to show up.
Muda Labudova: This is a Croatian idiom that literally translates to “balls of a swan.” However, what it really means is “something that is impossible.”
Tartle: A Scottish term that refers to the act of hesitating while introducing someone because you’ve forgotten their name.
Nunchi: This is a Korean term that refers to the art of listening to someone to determine his or her mood, and then to decide what you should or shouldn’t do or say.
Meraki: This Greek word explains the act of putting yourself into what you’re doing. Like a musician or writer, people can sometimes put themselves into their craft with creativity and love.
These are just a few examples of the tons of different words and phrases out there that don’t translate into English. And, don’t forget, it goes both ways. There are English words and phrases that won’t translate into other languages. Hopefully, these examples show how easily confusion can happen in translation. If not handled with care, translations can lead to mistakes that could lose you customers or associates.
