What's in a Word?

 This interesting article lists 20 words which are virtually untranslatable into the English language. As I learn more and more advanced Spanish I've realized just how many words there are that don't have an exact translation to anything in English. Its fascinating how by giving something its own unique word, there is a whole concrete concept which is created for speakers of that language that those speaking other languages do not possess. For example, the Japanese word wabi-sabi meaning: "a way of living that focuses on finding beauty within the imperfections of life and accepting peacefully the natural cycle of growth and decay". A beautiful concept that is summed up by one word in Japanese, but takes a sentence or more in English to express.

Other words are clearly developed to fit something that is culturally significant, such as the Pascuense (from Easter Island) notion of tingo: "the act of taking objects one desires from the house of a friend by gradually borrowing all of them". If I had to guess, I'd say this act is fairly common on Easter Island, or at least common enough to warrant its own word. But not so much in English-speaking countries (I have to admit I don't really get it....wouldn't someone notice if their friend happened to have more than half of the things they own?)

Other words capture universal human emotion, but in a way which we cannot in the English language.  The Portuguese word saudade expresses "the feeling of longing for something or someone that you love and which is lost".

I think my favorite may have the be the German word torschlusspanik-- meaning "the fear of diminishing opportunities as one ages". I may still be young, but I'm already starting to feel a little torschlusspanik. Plus its fun to say.

Language shapes the way people experience the world and the way they have the opportunity to express themselves. I often wish I had the European experience of being able to grow up learning many different languages (and also to solidify learning with nearby travels the way Europeans can). Just one more reason to make sure American kids are getting the chance to learn foreign languages at a young age!