Why Translation Is an Art, Not a Science: The Beauty of Untranslatable Words
Translation is usually envisioned as a simple process: a word in one language directly matches the definition of a word in another. Although this is often true, it is important to understand that language is not a group of containers holding anchored meanings. Language embodies the sense of a real, living system curated by memory, tradition, and ideology. As a result, the translation of words is not simply an exchange of information; it is an illustrative and analytic act. Certain words are simply incapable of being encapsulated in an equivalent definition because they reflect methods of thinking that are absent in other linguistic communities.
Linguists often describe this barrier using the concept of semantic gaps, which occur when a language lacks a single term for a concept that another language translates precisely. Russian linguist Roman Jakobson claimed that translation requires picking between preserving form and preserving meaning. In contrast, American linguist Eugene Nida highlighted the importance of “dynamic equivalence,” in which translators must replicate the effect of a word rather than copying it literally. These foundational structures imply that translation is not a mechanical alternative, but a creative reconstruction of definition ranging across cultural boundaries.
To understand the reason as to why certain words oppose straightforward translation, it is important to clarify linguists' definition of the phrase “untranslatable words.” This term does not suggest that these words are completely unable to be understood, but instead refers to the idea that some words are comprised of unimaginable emotional and cultural significance that no alternate language can fully capture. These words usually tend to describe concepts related to tradition and culture, such as social relationships, philosophical ideas, and emotional states that a group has found significant enough to assign a name to.
One such word is the Portuguese term saudade. Often depicted as “longing,” saudade is extremely more intricate and detailed, illustrating a variation of melancholy, nostalgia, affection, and the slight awareness of absence. The word encapsulates the abundance of emotional depth within Portuguese music and literature, where yearning is not viewed as solely melancholic, but as a reflective emotion. The English language cannot sculpt emotional space in a similar manner. Similarly, the Arabic word tarab correlates to a state of musical euphoria caused by performance, in which melody, emotion, and audience connection blend together into a singular, shared experience. Simply translating the word and giving it a simple meaning like “joy” or “happiness” deprives the word of its traditional roots and foundation in classical Arabic poetry and music, where art is often communally experienced.
Other untranslatable words explore social values and concepts. The Dutch word gezellig explores feelings of warmth, comfort, and geniality, whether it is the presence of good company or the atmosphere of a certain area. This term emphasizes the cultural importance of shared spaces and daily forms of joy. Meanwhile, the Bantu term ubuntu, meaning “I am because we are,” derives from a philosophy of communal identity, moral responsibility, and interdependence, highlighting its significance as a worldview. Additionally, emotions also take the form of unique traditions. The Russian word toska highlights a deep metaphysical ache, sometimes without a definitive reason. This feeling is found specifically within Russian literature and writing, connecting emotional experience to philosophical thought.
All these different words are examples of how untranslatable words are not linguistic novelties, but windows into how cultures and traditions structure reflection. Each word highlights what a community decides on naming and articulating, and when languages differ in what specific sentiments they capture, translation acts as a form of interpretation. Untranslatable words serve as a constant reminder that languages are not simply interchangeable codes; they are stores of emotion, identity, and communal experience. Thus, being able to understand them allows for the expansion of our sense of humanity, and illustrates why translation will always be rooted as an art.
