English, one of the most spoken languages in the world is no doubt a beautiful language – but sometimes other languages take the pie.
Let’s take a look at few instances where foreign languages have made English fall speechless with their words.
Duende
This Spanish word was originally used to describe a mythical, sprite like body that holds humans and generates the feeling of wonder. However, today the meaning has transitioned to a mysterious power that a work of art possesses which intensely moves a person. There’s even a nightclub in the town of La Linea de la Concepcion with this name.
Litost
This Czech word signifies the state of pain and bane caused because of sight of personal misery. The term is believed to help people understand the human soul. The author of The Unbearable Lightness of Being –Milan Kundera – remarked that his search for an equivalent of the word in other languages went in vain.
Saudade
This Portuguese word is one of the most beautiful of all words that are not translatable. Through it does not matter if the word is translatable or not for it refers to the feeling of desire for something or someone that is loved and is lost.
Toska
The Russian word is best described as a feeling of a large spiritual suffering, often devoid of any particular cause, which happens to be its deepest and most painful meaning. At less gloomy levels, the word refers to the dull pain of the soul, a desire with nothing to look for, an imprecise impatience, and yearning. Moreover, it may be used to highlight the desire for something and nostalgia. It even refers to boredom at lowest levels.
Wabi-Sabi
The Japanese word highlights the way of living with a focus on discovering beauty within the inadequacies of life and accepting the natural cycle of development and dwindling.
Wrapping Up
Don’t let this post intimidate you. These are just a handful of words that are difficult to translate, and there’s more to languages than these words. You may find yourself in a spot of bother if you travel overseas without knowing the language. Thus, it is advisable to contact a good translation service provider while traveling for a smooth trip. Call 888-670-3369 to find out more about language translation service.