I Have No Words! (Untranslatable Words That Know How We Feel)

There are some things lost in language. We humans have universal experiences and feelings that sometimes we can't put into words....except perhaps if we go looking in another language.

For example, the German word "weltschmerz" translates to "world-weary" or "world-pain". It's a kind of melancholy and feeling of despair over a world that doesn't measure up to what you think it should be. It's sort of a sentimental sadness or malaise.

When we translate a work of literature or poetry, what gets lost...and what might be gained?

Your Challenge:

1. Explore these "Untranslatable Words" articles.

21 Perfect German Words we Need in English

French Words with No English Translation

The Untranslatable Emotions You Never Knew You Had

15 Japanese Words English Needs

(there are MANY more such articles if you go hunting)

If you want a bit of a PLAY - try out the UNTRANSLATABLE WORDS RANDOMIZER BOT

or, check out "Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows", which has invented words for those feelings you juts can't pin down.

2. Choose 1 to Visualize for the outside wall.

Please use a LARGE index card...write the word, the language and its definition and illustrate with an image or metaphorical typography (writing the letters so they look like the meaning, such as the word "wall" written in block letters that look like brick with graffiti). (put name on back)

3. Choose a different 1 to write more about on your blog.

Describe why this term intrigues you and how you have experienced it in your life. How might you incorporate it into your everyday vocabulary from now on?

Alternative!

Write a haiku poem (5-7-5 syllable structure) in English but incorporating the newly learned untranslatable word.

4. For the blog post, create an original image (photo you take or video you shoot) that depicts this word.