Impossible translations

Manuel Seoane
Sep 7, 2018 · 2 min read

Hygge

A mood of coziness and comfortable conviviality, wellness and contentment
(according to Wikipedia)

Beyond its communicative goal, languages are vivid expressions of life styles and cultural behaviors. However, there are some very specific states and emotions that cannot be (fully) explained through pure textual symbols. These linguistic barriers are hence just imposible to be broken when trying to connect with others and to express deep feelings.

In the context of Bridging festival theme, in this experiment I asked people of different nationalities to think of an expression or phrase on their language of origin, that they thought could not be exactly translated to an “universal language” term.

Although they all tried to explain the meanings of their phrases I am sure neither them or I (or you) fully understand them, but just by trying to do so, I believe, some bridges are starting to be built already.

-o-

Nezmak

Something you can not get rid of, but not always a bad thing
Bea (Slovakia)

Wa fiagnha

A state of full happiness, completeness
Annas (Somalia)

Očecz dane budecz priete

A stranger who is also a friend
Zsuzana (Bosnia)

Bea. Annas. Zsuzana.
Alex. Jeimmy. Jorge.

Wayki

A broder in many phases of life (Quechua language)
Alex (Perú)

Chévere!

Too damn fine!
Jeimmy (Colombia)

Ch’aki fulero

A state of grace just before the hangover (Aymará language)
Jorge (Bolivia)

-o-

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