Lexical Gaps Across Languages
Ever wonder why German has a word for taking pleasure in someone else's misfortune (*Schadenfreude*), but English doesn't? This post explores these "lexical gaps"βconcepts that are easily expressed in one…
Unlocking the Universe of Languages
Ever wonder why German has a word for taking pleasure in someone else's misfortune (*Schadenfreude*), but English doesn't? This post explores these "lexical gaps"βconcepts that are easily expressed in one…
Imagine being the first outsider to document a language with no written form. How would you create its first-ever dictionary? From pointing at your nose to defining 'untranslatable' cultural concepts,…
The viral myth claims *mamihlapinatapai* is an untranslatable Yaghan word for a romantic, unspoken look. The truth, however, is far more interesting: it's a perfect example of a polysynthetic language's…
Translating poetry is far more than swapping words; it's an art of re-creation. How do you capture a rhyme, a rhythm, or a culturally-specific metaphor without losing the original's soul?…
The German language, steeped in rich history and nuanced cultural practices, is famous for its unique expressions and idiosyncrasies. Some phrases encapsulate feelings or ideas...