There is no doubt that a language bears
the context of a culture. A language is required in order to enhance
communication in a specific group of people, and is thus easily influenced and
shaped by the aspect of the culture of the group. Therefore, some words of a
language inevitably become ‘untranslatable’, mainly because of the unique cultural
aspects that appear only in a certain cultural area. For example, there is a
Japanese word that refers to a certain type of chopstick because those who
developed and used the language were in need for a word to describe that particular
chopstick. This Japanese word would certainly be ‘untranslatable’, as that
particular type of chopstick only exists in the Japanese culture. As shown from
this example, ‘untranslatable words cannot be properly understood without
understanding the contexts of a culture, and are thus incapable of being
accurately translated into a different language that bears the aspects of a
different culture.
A great example of an untranslatable word is ‘In-Yeon’,
a Korean word. Like many other untranslatable words, this word cannot be
translated into a different word, as it bears the emotion and sense that cannot
be properly understood without a thorough understanding of Korean culture.
It would be appropriate to start
explaining the meaning of this word by referring to some commonly used English
words to substitute this word; tie, relationship, and connection. As shown from
these ‘close but inaccurate’ translations of these words, ‘In-Yeon’ is commonly
used in Korean language to describe the relationship between people. However,
it is important to note that this word cannot be explained by those ‘emotionless’
words; perhaps, it should not be translated into those words. ‘In-Yeon’ is a
word that is full of diverse emotions, some of which are unsympathetic to those
unfamiliar with the Korean culture. A more important reason, however, is that
the word can be used to refer to so many different situations for various
sentimental reasons.
For example, imagine a girl and a boy who fall in love with each other the moment they meet, and eventually marry each other few years later. In-Yeon can sometimes be used to explain a serendipitous relationship that can bring light to our lives, like the one shown in the example above. Ironically however, 'In-Yeon' can also be used to refer to, for example, two people who have fought each other for the past five years, unable to draw a satisfactory agreement. As shown from this example, In-Yeon can also be used to illustrate deep-rooted antipathies between people. Thus, In-Yeon is a very abstract word that can be used to explain so many different situations that call to deep emotions: wistfulness, sorrow, delight, love antipathy, and many other emotions. Most of these emotions result from interactions between people, which are deeply influenced by the cultural contexts of Korea that are not shared by other cultures. No other words from other languages, I think, will be able to correctly fit the definition of this word, which contains in it so many cultural aspects and emotions native to Korean culture. Therefore, Korean word 'In-Yeon' can rightfully be called 'untranslatable'.
For example, imagine a girl and a boy who fall in love with each other the moment they meet, and eventually marry each other few years later. In-Yeon can sometimes be used to explain a serendipitous relationship that can bring light to our lives, like the one shown in the example above. Ironically however, 'In-Yeon' can also be used to refer to, for example, two people who have fought each other for the past five years, unable to draw a satisfactory agreement. As shown from this example, In-Yeon can also be used to illustrate deep-rooted antipathies between people. Thus, In-Yeon is a very abstract word that can be used to explain so many different situations that call to deep emotions: wistfulness, sorrow, delight, love antipathy, and many other emotions. Most of these emotions result from interactions between people, which are deeply influenced by the cultural contexts of Korea that are not shared by other cultures. No other words from other languages, I think, will be able to correctly fit the definition of this word, which contains in it so many cultural aspects and emotions native to Korean culture. Therefore, Korean word 'In-Yeon' can rightfully be called 'untranslatable'.
