Title: Lexical Gaps: Lost in Translation
This collection of terms and concepts from many languages emphasizes the diversity of human expression and experience, which may not always have obvious English equivalents. These "lexical gaps" illustrate the variety of cultures and emotions that language may convey, providing insights into the complexities of our global linguistic landscape.
lexical gaps
Many concepts and terms in other languages have no direct one-word equivalents in English. Following are some examples of "lexical gaps" or lacunae in English vocabulary:
Ubuntu (Nguni Bantu):
Ubuntu is a Nguni Bantu word that means "humanity." It is also translated as "I am because we are" or "humanity toward others." The latter phrase is used in Xhosa, but it is frequently used in a more philosophical sense to signify "belief in a universal bond of sharing that connects all humanity."
Schadenfreude (German):
The enjoyment received from someone else's misery.
L'esprit de l'escalier (French):
The smart or humorous retort that comes to mind only after the chance has passed.
Dépaysement (French):
The sensation of being in a foreign nation or location, typically accompanied by disorientation.
Hygge (Danish):
A feeling of coziness and happiness, often linked with a welcoming, pleasant environment.
Gigil (Tagalog):
The strong desire to squeeze or touch something or someone cute.
Mamihlapinatapai (Yaghan):
The shared, meaningful look of two people who both want to start something but are both too afraid to do so.
Torschlusspanik (German):
The worry of running out of time to accomplish one's life goals, which is frequently related with getting older.
Tsundoku (Japanese):
The act of purchasing books and allowing them to accumulate unread.
Saudade (Portuguese):
A strong emotional longing for someone or something that is no longer there, frequently accompanied by a bittersweet feeling.
Pisan zapra (Malay):
The amount of time required to eat a banana.
Tretår (Swedish):
The "second refill" or third cup of coffee.
Forelsket (Norwegian/Danish):
The euphoria and excitement of falling in love.
Pochemuchka (Russian):
A person who asks too many questions.
Mencolek (Indonesian):
Tapping someone on the opposite shoulder to make them look the wrong way.
Jayus (Indonesian):
A joke that is so terrible and poorly delivered that it is impossible not to laugh.
Dreignth (noun):
The type of cold, damp, seep-into-your-bones autumn or winter rainy weather that chills you to your very core and sticks around for a while even after you've made it to warmer surroundings. It's so much more than just "damp" or "cold."
Translativize (verb):
Attempting to express the complexity and complexities of a "untranslatable" word from one language to another.
Nostalgrief (noun):
A sensation of longing for what was or could have been paired with sorrow and grief for places of the past or that never existed.
Påleggio (noun):
A playful and inclusive name for anything you can put on a slice of bread, praising the variety of sandwich fillings and toppings.
Hiraeth (Welsh):
The feeling of homesickness for somewhere you cannot return to, the nostalgia and grief for the lost places of your past, places that never were.
Pålegg (Norwegian):
Anything and everything you can put on a slice of bread.
"jugaad"
The term "jugaad" used in the paragraph relates to a concept found in numerous Indian languages, most notably Hindi and Punjabi. It loosely translates as "innovative or makeshift solutions" or "making do with whatever is available." Jugaad can refer to the process of devising inventive and innovative solutions to issues, often with little means. While there is no precise English equivalent, you could define it as "resourceful improvisation" or "ingenious problem-solving."
Parson (Saraiki/Urdu/Punjabi):
Refers to the day after tomorrow, the day that comes right after tomorrow. In English, we typically use the phrase "the day after tomorrow" to convey this concept.
Qareeb-ulfasal (Urdu):
This word means "the season right before something," such as the season right before winter or summer. In English, you might need to describe it as "the prelude season."
Jahaaz (Urdu):
While "jahaaz" simply means "ship" in Urdu, it's often used to describe an airplane as well. In English, we have distinct words for "ship" and "airplane."
NAKHUR (Persia):
which means "a camel who will not give milk until her nostrils are tickled."
Manana (Punjabi):
This word conveys the act of apologizing or making amends to someone to restore a relationship. In English, we might need to use a longer phrase like "to make amends" or "to apologize."
'übermorgen' in German:
tomorrow after tomorrow ais known as 'tarson' in Saraiki , Punjabi, and Urdu, as well as 'übermorgen' in German. Tomorrow is the day after tomorrow.
'tarson' (Saraiki):
The 'tarson' is referred to as "the third day past today" in Saraiki
Nikkah (Urdu/Arabic):
The Islamic marriage ritual is a sacred contract that joins a man and a woman as husband and wife.
Namaz (Urdu/Arabic):
This is the term for Muslim prayers, which are normally performed five times every day.
Tahajjud (Urdu/Arabic):
Muslims say a special late-night prayer throughout the latter third of the night. It is a completely optional and highly recommended prayer.
Pakora (Urdu/Hindi):
Deep-fried battered veggies or meat are a typical South Asian food. In English, you could simply call them "deep-fried fritters."
Samosa (Urdu/Hindi):
Deep-fried triangle pastry filled with spicy potatoes, peas, and commonly minced meat. In English, it is commonly known as a "savory pastry" or "fried pastry."
Jalebi (Urdu/Hindi):
A sweet, deep-fried treat created from batter soaked in sugar syrup in the shape of a coil or pretzel. In English, it's called a "syrup-soaked sweet spiral."
Biryani (Urdu/Hindi):
A fragrant rice meal cooked with spices, herbs, and generally chicken, mutton, or vegetables. It's commonly referred to in English as a "spiced rice dish."
Mehndi (Urdu):
The use of henna paste as a temporary type of body art, often connected with celebrations and festivals.
Karma (Sanskrit):
The concept of a person's activities in this and past realms of existence, which frequently influence their fate in future lives. In English, we use the word "karma" to describe this concept.
Nirvana (Sanskrit):
The transcendent state in which there is no suffering, desire, or feeling of self, and the subject is free of karma and the cycle of death and rebirth. While the term "nirvana" exists in English, its spiritual and philosophical significance may not be properly expressed.
Dharma (Sanskrit):
The moral and ethical duties and responsibilities that must be followed in order to live in harmony with the universe. In English, we use the word "dharma" to allude to this concept.
Umami (Japanese):
The fifth basic taste is frequently described as savory or meaty. While the term "umami" is used in English, it is not as well known as other taste descriptors.
Feng Shui (Chinese):
Interior design and architecture are typically related with the technique of arranging the environment to produce harmony and balance. In English, we use the term "feng shui" to refer to this technique.
Völkerwanderung(German):
From the second to the eleventh century, there was a migration of peoples into Europe, particularly of Germanic and Slavic peoples.
These words express distinct cultural or emotional experiences that, while easily described in other languages, may necessitate more complex descriptions in English.
Note:
There are numerous other examples of terms from various languages that express distinct and specialized concepts. The list I supplied is far from exhaustive. Languages from all around the world have invented words to describe experiences and emotions that have no exact English equivalents. If you want to learn more about these fascinating terms, there are books and online resources dedicated to the subject, such as "Lost in Translation" by Ella Frances Sanders, as well as websites and blogs that curate collections of such words. You'll come across even more linguistic treasures that provide insights into the breadth of human experience and expression.
