Beyond Translation
written by Kim Mingyo People all around the world experience similar emotions such as love, sadness, and happiness. However, expressing those emotions exactly the same across different languages is hard. Some words cannot be fully translated into other languages. The nuances of the words used to describe the emotions are missing when translated. Every language contains unique meanings and emotional depth. The Korean word “jeong” can’t be simply translated into “affection”. Jeong contains a deeper sense of attachment and connection built over time. “The bond they share isn’t just friendship, it is something closer to jeong” is an example for “jeong”. Similarly, the Portuguese word “saudade” refers to a complex feeling of longing, nostalgia, and loss. “Looking at the old photos filled her with saudade for the days that would never return.” is an example of “saudade”. Many languages usually don’t have a single word to express these emotions. Language reflects culture. Each country ha...