New research
has found English is lacking in the language of positivity: in short, we don't
have all the right words to describe & express subtle joys as in some other
languages.
The paper, published in the Journal of
Positive Psychology by Tim Lomas, lists 216 "untranslatable" words,
with the aim of "providing a window onto cultural differences" and
"expanding the emotional vocabulary of English speakers.
The report also includes a section of words
describing resourcefulness, grit and determination. Need a better way to
describe your team's performance during a difficult project last week? Here's
what Lomas recommends (or check out his full paper @ http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/17439760.2015.1127993
):
1. Sumud (Arabic) - Steadfastness, a
determined struggle to persist
2. Sisu (Finnish) - Extraordinary
determination in the face of adversity [A.K.A. life]
3. Að jenna (Icelandic)
4. Sitzfleish (German) - The ability or
willingness to persevere through tasks that are hard or even just boring
[A.K.A. work]
5. Ganbaru (Japanese) - To do one's best
6. Jaksaa (Finnish), Orka (Swedish) - The
importance of being energized
7. Kefi (Greek) - A spirit of joy, passion, enthusiasm,
high spirits, frenzy
8. Baraka (Arabic) - Gift of spiritual energy
or "sanctifying power" that can be transferred from one person to
another
9. Orenda (Huron) - The power of the human
will to change the world in the face of powerful forces such as fate
10. Jugaad (Hindi), and 11. Arrangiarsi
(Italian) - The ability to "make do" or "get by"
12. Desenrascanço (Portuguese) - To artfully
disentangle oneself from a troublesome situation
13. Fingerspitzengefuehl (German) - The
ability to think clearly about numerous phenomena and to understand how they
relate on multiple levels
14. Sprezzatura (Italian) - A certain
nonchalance, "studied carelessness"
15. Saper vivere (Italian) - The ability to
handle people and situations with charm, diplomacy and verve
16. Pihentagyú (Hungarian) - Quick-witted
people who can come up with sophisticated jokes or solutions
17. Kombinować (Polish) - Working out an
unusual solution to a complicated problem, and acquiring coveted skills or
qualities in the process
18. Meraki (Greek) - A sense of ardor,
specifically in relation to one's own actions and creations
19. Yuán bèi (Chinese) - A sense of complete
and perfect accomplishment
20. Brav (German) - An adjective used to
commend children, encompassing qualities including being pleasant, earnest and
well-behaved
21. Majime (Japanese) - Someone who is
reliable, responsible and able to get things done without causing problems for
others
22. Sunao (Japanese) - Meek, docile,
submissive - but in a positive way, exemplified in the respect given by a
student towards a teacher
23. Szimpatikus (Hungarian) - A decent human
being
24. Fēng yùn (Chinese) - Personal charm and
graceful bearing
25. Lagom (Swedish) - A sense of moderation,
doing anything by just the right degree
26. Ilunga (Tshiluba) - A person who is ready
to forgive abuse the first time, and tolerate it a second time - but never a
third time (incidentally, rated by linguists as the world's most difficult word
to translate)
27. Ikigai (Japanese) - A reason for being,
the feeling that life is good and meaningful
28. Genki (Japanese) - Being healthy,
energetic and full of life
29. Joie de vivre (French) - A zest for life,
a knack of knowing how to live
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