More Than Words: Why Some Things Can Only Be Said in Another Language

Have you ever felt a specific emotion, like the comfort of a warm house while it rains outside, or the bittersweet feeling of a memory, but realised the English language or your native language doesn't have a name for it? In the world of linguistics, we call these "untranslatable" words. At our institute, we believe these aren't just vocabulary gaps; they are windows into a different way of living.

There is a famous theory in linguistics called the Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis. It suggests that the structure of a language affects its speakers' worldviews or cognition. For example, if your language has ten different words for "blue," you may actually perceive subtle differences in color faster than someone whose language only has one word for it. By learning a new language, you are literally "upgrading" your brain’s hardware to see more of the world.

When you study with us, you aren't just learning grammar; you’re adopting these unique cultural lenses:

• Hygge (Danish): More than just "cozy." It’s a psychological state of conscious intimacy and togetherness. It’s the feeling of a candlelit dinner with friends.

• Ikigai (Japanese): Your "reason for being." It’s the intersection of what you love, what you’re good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for.

• Saudade (Portuguese): A deep emotional state of nostalgic longing for something or someone that one cares for and loves, but who is now gone.

• Waldeinsamkeit (German): The specific feeling of being alone in the woods and feeling connected to nature.

Languages are constantly "borrowing" from each other to fill these gaps. Think about how English speakers use the French word "Rendezvous" or the German "Schadenfreude" (taking pleasure in someone else's trouble).

When a language doesn't have a tool to express a feeling, it looks to its neighbors. This is why multilingualism is so vital in 2026, it gives you a massive "emotional toolkit" that monolingual speakers simply don't have access to.

At our institute, we don't just teach you how to translate "apple" into "manzana." We teach you how to capture feelings that your native tongue might be missing.

Learning a language is the closest thing we have to a superpower. It allows you to step out of your own perspective and experience the world through the eyes, ears, and hearts of another culture.

What’s your favorite "untranslatable" word? Tell us in the comments, and let’s see if we can find its match in another language!