Saturday, January 20

They Have a Word for It - Howard Rheingold

A more readable foray into the world of words than Ecco's text (see below), They have a Word for It" is 'a lighthearted lexicon of untranslatable words and phrases'. Divided into eleven chapters, Rheingold explores the traditions of different cultures to discuss topics like "Eye of the Beholder: Conceptions of Beauty" (aware - the Japanese word for appreciation of beauty enhanced by an awareness of the brevity of its' life, like a flower; ostranenie - the Russian concept of art which renders the familiar unfamiliar) and "Serious Business: Words about Work and Money" (fucha - a Polish concept for using company time and resources for one's own ends; ponte - an Italian word that means an extra day off taken to incorporate a public holiday that falls on Tuesday or Thursday into the weekend).
I have already adopted the German word fisseleg (flustered to the point of incompetence) and can see more words from the world in my future! - Alex

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