Why Are Some Languages Considered “Untranslatable”?
Some words easily find their counterparts in other languages — “table,” “sun,” “to read.” Yet others resist translation: no matter how you render them, it feels as though half the meaning slips away. It is precisely these words and expressions that give rise to the myth of “untranslatable” languages. In truth, no language is untranslatable, but there are realities and cultural categories that can challenge even the most seasoned translator. Let’s explore why this happens and how professional translation addresses such difficulties.
Why Does “Untranslatability” Arise?
Every language reflects a unique way of thinking and a people’s cultural values. Where one society has coined dozens of words to describe a phenomenon, another may reduce it to a single expression—or to silence. When faced with such asymmetry, the translator must seek detours: explaining, paraphrasing, or choosing the closest possible equivalent.
For example, the Japanese word tsundoku describes the habit of buying books and piling them up without ever reading them. English has no specific word for this concept. A translator can only explain the idea or keep the borrowed term with a clarifying note.
Cultural Background and National Particularities
Much of what we call “untranslatability” stems from culture. Words are not only sounds; they are cultural codes.
* The German Schadenfreude (“joy at another’s misfortune”) captures a notion everyone understands, yet neither Russian nor English has a word that conveys it so succinctly.
* The Swedish lagom describes a philosophy of moderation and balance in life, far richer and deeper than the simple “in moderation” or “the golden mean.”
* The Portuguese saudade expresses a profound longing for something unattainable. No single word can render it; only extended description comes close.
In each case, the translator must decide whether to keep the original term, add a footnote, provide an explanation, or adapt it to the target culture.
When No Exact Equivalent Exists
A lack of vocabulary is not the translator’s greatest foe. More often, the problem lies in the reality behind the word, which may have no counterpart in another culture.
Take the Finnish sisu: it cannot be reduced to “perseverance” or “courage.” It embodies an entire set of qualities — resilience in hardship, relentless forward motion despite obstacles. Professional translators usually opt for a detailed interpretation.
Or consider the Russian word toska. Nabokov once explained that English terms like “melancholy,” “sadness,” or “yearning” fail to capture its shades of meaning. Here too, only contextual explanation can do justice.
Translator’s Intention and Client’s Goals
For a professional translator, the task is not simply to render words literally, but to ensure the message resonates in another culture. This is particularly important in localization — the adaptation of text for a specific audience.
Advertising and slogans often rely on wordplay. In one language they may sound witty and light; in literal translation, awkward or meaningless. The translator’s job is to reshape them so they evoke the same emotions in the audience while preserving the brand’s values.
Literary translation poses an even greater challenge. A writer’s unique voice, wordplay, or dialectal flavor cannot be carried over intact. Yet a skilled translator finds artistic techniques that preserve the impression, even if the exact form changes.
How Translators Handle “Untranslatable” Words
There are several strategies to bridge linguistic and cultural gaps:
* Transliteration with explanation — keeping the original word and adding a note or commentary.
* Descriptive translation — when one word is insufficient, a full definition is given.
* Analogy — selecting a near-equivalent term in the target language that conveys at least part of the meaning.
* Neologism — rarely, but sometimes a translator coins a new term if it captures the essence and has a chance to take root.
Practice shows that many once “untranslatable” words eventually integrate into other languages. Today no one is surprised by karate or pizza — yet they too were once foreign intruders.
Why This Matters for Clients
Clients commissioning professional translation often don’t realize that a literal rendering of a word does not guarantee its true meaning will be conveyed. In business correspondence, websites, or advertising campaigns, this nuance is crucial: the success of communication depends on how sensitively the translator interprets cultural subtleties.
For example:
* A legal term translated literally but inconsistent with another country’s legislation may cause errors or misunderstandings.
* A marketing slogan that sounds unnatural will fail to engage the audience.
* A carefully localized text, on the other hand, feels organic and inspires trust.
Conclusion
“So-called untranslatable” words and expressions remind us of the richness and diversity of language. For professional translators, they are not a barrier but a challenge. Each case demands a strategy: to explain, to adapt, to find an analogue, or to preserve the original. Success lies not only in linguistic skill but also in attention to detail, cultural awareness, and sensitivity to the client’s goals.
This approach transforms even the most complex tasks into high-quality results. That is why it is essential to entrust translation to specialists who can work not just with grammar, but with culture. True mastery in translation lies in conveying not merely the words, but the meaning, spirit, and atmosphere of the original.
