Lost in Translation

I just discovered the second-best to Economics: learning a new language! As I learn Portuguese, I benefit from centuries of human endeavour in the Lusophone world. And it helps me better appreciate the art of translating. Which are the most difficult words to translate in the world? According to a panel of 1000 linguists, it is “ilunga” from the Tshiluba Language (spoken in DR Congo), meaning “a person who is ready to forgive any abuse for the first time, to tolerate it a second time but never a third time.” In second position, the Yiddish word “shlimazl” which is “a chronically unlucky person!” The Portuguese word “saudade” comes as the 7th most difficult word to translate in the world. “Saudade” is like a bit like nostalgia, in sadder, and has “the hope that what is being longed for might return, even if that return is unlikely or so distant in the future to be almost of no consequence to the present.” Source of the beautiful Fado, the word “saudade” is said to have originated from the Portuguese Discoveries, from the sadness felt by the women and children left behind as their loved ones embarked on journeys in unknown seas. Finally, although not present in the linguists’ list, a great word from Mauritian creole: “accorité“, which represents situations when “people sympathise with and help each other although they may be different or they may disagree on things.” There is no better word to capture the essence of being Mauritian.