Lost in Translation: An Illustrated Compendium of Untranslatable Words from Around the World

by Ella Frances Sanders

From the author of Eating the Sun, an artistic collection of more than 50 drawings featuring unique, funny, and poignant foreign words that have no direct translation into English

Did you know that the Japanese language has a word to express the way sunlight filters through the leaves of trees? Or that there’s a Finnish word for the distance a reindeer can travel before needing to rest? 

Lost in Translation brings to life more than fifty words that don’t have direct English translations with charming illustrations of their tender, poignant, and humorous definitions. Often these words provide insight into the cultures they come from, such as the Brazilian Portuguese word for running your fingers through a lover’s hair, the Italian word for being moved to tears by a story, or the Swedish word for a third cup of coffee.

In this clever and beautifully rendered exploration of the subtleties of communication, you’ll find new ways to express yourself while getting lost in the artistry of imperfect translation.

• ISBN10: 1607747103
• ISBN13: 9781607747109
• Publish Date: 16 September 2014
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Publisher: Random House USA Inc
• Imprint: Ten Speed Press
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 112
• Language: English
• URL: https://penguinrandomhouse.com/books/isbn/9781607747109

Reviews

[MurderByDeath]

For the lovers of language, Lost in Translation is a compendium of words that lack an English translation; words that were created by other cultures to describe a concept or feeling that would require several words for English speakers to convey.   

I think most of us are guilty of tsundoku - the Japanese word for buying books without reading them right away (basically, the Japanese word for "TBR"), and some of us have experienced the Italian commuovere - been moved in a heartwarming way when we've read a story that's brought us to tears.  Readers of Tolkien, or just a really brilliantly written story have been to Goya - the Urdu concept of the suspension of disbelief that allows us to lose ourselves in lands with elves, fairies and vampires.   

I could go on, there are so many great words here (my favourite might be the Dutch word struisvogelpolitiek, - acting like you don't notice when something bad happens - which is what I've been unable to do today after BookLikes being down 10 hours.)  Each word has a two-page spread with the definition, an explanation of usage, and a beautiful illustration.     

My only complaint, and what cost the last 1/2 star, is the lack of a phonetic pronunciation guide for each word.  I'd really like to know the correct way to pronounce the Welsh Hiraeth (a homesickness for a place you can't return to, or no longer exists).  I'm more than a little surprised that it didn't occur to anyone involved to include these.   

A great addition to my language shelf and one I'll be referring to again and again.