Untranslatable words are what you call words or phrases that have no equivalent interpretations in another language. These untranslatable words often present significant challenges for interpreters, since it takes more work, effort, and thinking when they are translated into another language.
In the context of interpretation, we all know that accuracy is one of the industry’s most important canons. This article dives into untranslatable words and how they affect the quality of service provided by businesses.
How Untranslatable Words Affect Interpretation Service Providers
People unfamiliar with how interpreting works often assume that accuracy requires everything to be interpreted literally, word-for-word. In most cases, finding the exact equivalent of many sentences and phrases is possible, especially if the speaker uses straightforward, non-metaphorical terms.
However, in some cases, like country-specific idioms and non-English words, it can be harder to work with, especially since literal and word-for-word translations can almost always lead to misinterpretation and confusion. This is where the term “untranslatable words” comes in.
Words are considered untranslatable when directly interpreting them in another language doesn’t make sense. But just because they can’t be directly translated doesn’t mean you should omit them entirely. Besides knowing the techniques for interpreting untranslatable words, extra preparation and vigilance should be done in order to be ready whenever they pop up
A Few Untranslatable Words and Phrases You Can Learn
While the number of untranslatable words and phrases is vast, we’ve compiled a few of them for you, on the off-chance you encounter them during interpretation:
- Sem’ pyatnitz na nedele (Russian) – literally translated to ‘for someone to have seven Fridays in a week”, this expression describes someone who isn’t reliable, changes their mind often, or doesn’t keep their promises.
- Chī dòufu – “To eat someone’s tofu’ (Chinese) means to flirt with someone.
- “Tsundoku” (Japanese) – buying books and letting them pile up instead of reading them.
- Dar calabazas a alguien (Spanish) – literally translated as ‘to give someone pumpkins’, this phrase means to reject someone or to turn them down.
- “Peregar” (Russian) – the smell of last night’s alcohol on somebody’s breath.
- “Gluggaveður” (Icelandic) – literally translated as ‘window-weather’, this word describes the kind of weather that is nice to look at through the window but not nice to be out in.
- Veshat’ lapshu na ushy – “to hang noodles on one’s ears” (Russian) means to tell lies to someone.
- Abbiocco (Italian) – this word describes the sleepy feeling you get after a big meal.
- Saru mo ki kara ochiru (Japanese) – literally translated as “Even monkeys fall from trees”, this proverb means that everyone makes mistakes.
- Pålegg (Norwegian): Anything and everything you can put on a slice of bread to make an open-faced sandwich.
If you’re interested in learning more phrases like these, there are a few other blogs and videos that provide more examples!
Get Accurate Interpretation Solutions, Regardless of the Language
Does your business encounter untranslatable words and require reliable interpreting and translating solutions? Then you’ve come to the right place! Request a demo from our product specialists at Boostlingo and find out how our solutions can help you communicate without barriers.
