Why do some words have no translation?

Answer each question with 2–3 sentences.

1. Which word in your language would you most like English to have?
2. Have you ever struggled to translate a word or an expression?
3. Do you use any foreign words when you speak your own language?
4. Is there an English word that you find particularly beautiful?
5. Can you remember a joke that did not work in translation?
6. Do you think some feelings are easier to express in one language than in another?

Read each word and the example. Then say a sentence about a word in your own language.

Choose the word that fits.

1. There is no exact English for the Portuguese word "saudade".
2. The word has a negative , even though its dictionary meaning is neutral.
3. A translation of the idiom would make no sense in English.
4. English borrowed "kindergarten" from German, so it is a .
5. A good translator must the tone of the original, not only the words.
6. A sentimental longing for the past is called .
7. When you an idea, you say it again in different words.
8. There is a difference between the two words, which most learners miss.

Choose the right answer, then press Check answers.

1. a literal translation follows
   the sound of the wordsthe exact meaning of each wordthe general idea only
2. a loanword is a word
   invented by a poetspoken only at homeborrowed from another language
3. nostalgia is a longing for
   the pastthe futurea new job
4. to paraphrase = to say something in
   different wordsanother countrya louder voice
5. subtle =
   completely wrongdelicate and not obviousvery loud
6. to resonate = to make people feel a
   strong connectionsharp painlittle interest

Use these phrases to hedge and qualify your statements.

• It seems to be...Здається, це...It seems to be a matter of culture.
• This tends to be the case when...Так зазвичай буває, коли...This tends to be the case when words describe emotions.
• Arguably,...Можна стверджувати, що...Arguably, no word is truly untranslatable.
• To some extent,...Певною мірою,...To some extent, the claim is true.
• It could be argued that...Можна стверджувати, що...It could be argued that these words reveal values.
• As far as I can tell,...Наскільки я можу судити,...As far as I can tell, English has no equivalent.
• That's not entirely accurate.Це не зовсім точно.That's not entirely accurate, because you can paraphrase it.
• I'd say it's more a question of...Я б сказав, що це швидше питання...I'd say it's more a question of context.

Read the text. Hover over the dotted words for help.

1. Saudade describes a deep longing for something that is absent.
   TrueFalse
2. Linguists generally accept the label "untranslatable" without question.
   TrueFalse
3. In theory, any idea can be explained in a sentence or two.
   TrueFalse
4. English borrowed "schadenfreude" because English speakers never feel such pleasure.
   TrueFalse
5. The text concludes that translation is always a compromise.
   TrueFalse

1. Can you think of a word in your language that is hard to translate?
2. Do words reveal only what a culture finds important?
3. Is a paraphrase ever as good as the original word?
4. Which English word would you like to see in your own language?

Common mistakes: tend to / seem to + infinitive, and no is before seems. ✗ It tends being hard → It tends to be hard. ✗ It is seems that the word is rare → It seems that the word is rare. ✗ Words are tend to carry connotations → Words tend to carry connotations.

1. It
   is seem to beseems to be
   a matter of culture.
2. Words for emotions
   tend totends to
   be hard to translate.
3. ArguablyArgue
   , no word is truly untranslatable.
4. It
   appears thatappears to that
   the word has no equivalent.
5. To
   some extentsome extend
   , the claim is true.
6. As far as I
   can tell itcan tell
   , the word is rare.
7. It
   could be arguedcould argue
   that these words reveal values.
8. That's not
   entireentirely
   accurate.

Each sentence has one mistake. Type the correct words.

1. It tends being hard to translate. →
2. It is seems that the word is rare. →
3. Words are tend to carry connotations. →
4. To some extend, it is true. →
5. It could argue that the word is universal. →
6. That's not enough accurate. →

Answer in detail. Use hedging language: seems, tends to, arguably, to some extent.

1. Which word in your language is hard to translate into English? Explain it.
2. Do you think any word is truly untranslatable? Why, or why not?
3. What connotations do some English words have that you find hard to judge?
4. Has anything ever been lost in translation for you?
5. Which words, in your view, reveal something about your culture?
6. How do you explain a word that has no equivalent?

Three people have different views on translation. Compare them. Who is the most sceptical? Who is the most enthusiastic? Whose view is closest to yours?

Your teacher will time you.

1. Plan for one minute, then speak for one or two minutes.
2. Part 1: describe a word in your language that is hard to translate.
3. Part 2: explain what it means and what connotations it has (use hedging language).
4. Part 3: say whether any word is truly untranslatable, and why.

1. Which word in your language would you like English to have?
2. How do you deal with a word you cannot translate?
3. Have you ever used a word from another language in English?
4. Which English loanword do you use in your own language?
5. What was the last new word you learned in English?
6. Do you keep a vocabulary notebook?
7. How do you remember difficult words?
8. Which English words sound beautiful to you?

1. Who in your life uses words in a creative way?
2. Who taught you your favourite expression?
3. Who do you know who translates professionally?
4. Who in your family uses unusual sayings?
5. Who corrects your English?
6. Who do you share new words with?

1. Do words shape the way we feel?
2. Is a literal translation ever acceptable?
3. Should languages protect themselves from loanwords?
4. Is it better to read a book in translation or in the original?
5. Can a translator be as creative as the author?