Saudade: An Untranslatable, Undeniably Potent Word JANUARY 08, 2015 4:34 PM ET Author: JASMINE GARSD I've always been fascinated that there are certain words with no direct equivalents in other languages. It goes to the idea that life is so varied and complex, it will spawn words as distinctive as snowflakes. The natives of Tierra del Fuego, Argentina have the word mamihlapinatapai for a look shared between two people when both are wishing the other would do something neither wants to. In Thai there is greng-jai --when you don't want someone to do something for you because it would be a bother for him or her. Perhaps my favorite of these elusive words is saudade, a Portuguese and Galician term that is a common fixture in the literature and music of Brazil, Portugal, Cape Verde and beyond. The concept has many definitions, including a melancholy nostalgia for something that perhaps has not even happened. It often carries an assurance that this thing you feel nostalgic for will never happen again. My favorite definition of saudade is by Portuguese writer Manuel de Melo: "a pleasure you suffer, an ailment you enjoy." I understand why a translation can't be found. If you have never felt this before, then you wouldn't understand. "No consequence to the present..." except the constant pain. Death, left or disappointed... there's no difference. My love for Linton is like the foliage in the woods: time will change it, I'm well aware, as winter changes the trees. My love for Heathcliff resembles the eternal rocks beneath: a source of little visible delight, but necessary. Nelly, I am Healthcliff! He's always, always in my mind: not as a pleasure, any more than I am always a pleasure to myself, but as my own being.
Emily Brontë, Wuthering Heights Took four team portraits last week. I have four to take this week. Addie's team today. Cat's tmrw.
Runners flag Scorpions 4yo soccer Spider chicks vball Rattlers flag Purple Princesses soccer Angels vball Two more new teams... I really like interacting with the kids but I definitely do it for the church. It's neat to see little faces you photographed around town. I am grateful. Still Alice has to be the saddest movie ever. I refuse to read the book bc it will send me into depression. It was beautiful how intelligent she was and so tragic that she mastered the art of losing. I cussed at the tv bc of her husband's decision in the end. I would be that daughter. I will give up everything to take care of the people I love. Love love the ending of the movie.
It is equally amazing how some people can just discard their children yet these children adapted to survive in their environment. It's hard to believe.
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