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. Comments are closed.
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