Month: March 2023

A fascinating fact is that there is a single word, “mama,” which is spoken almost identically in nearly every language across the world. 

This universal term was studied in-depth by the Russian linguist Roman Jakobson, who discovered that humans find it easiest to produce vowel sounds with open mouths. Even newborn babies can make vowel sounds, and as they begin to experiment with other noises, they often start with the simpler consonant sounds made with closed lips, such as /m/, /p/, and /b/. Babies will often combine these sounds with an open vowel sound, resulting in repetitions of “ma-ma,” “ba-ba,” “pa-pa,” and so on.

In the Irish language, the terms ‘Lios’, ‘rath’, and ‘ringfort’ are commonly used to refer to fairy forts. These are circular or embankment structures typically found in fields or on marshy land. 

According to folklore, it is believed that interfering with these fairy forts could lead to serious consequences, so many people still avoid them. Even today, some people in the Irish countryside use these terms to refer to such places and fields, demonstrating the lasting impact of this folklore on Irish culture.

There is an Italian word ‘Culaccino’ that describes the water ring left on a table by a cold glass. It derives from culaccio +‎ -ino, derived from culo (“bottom”), the same versatile word can also mean the remaining bit of water in the glass itself, or the end of a salami or loaf of bread.

In light of the recent St. Patrick’s day celebrations, it is interesting to reflect on how rich and descriptive the Irish language is. One example of this is the variety of words there are for a bat. 

A bat can be called an ‘ialtóg’, ‘bás dorcha’ (“dark death”) and sciathán leathair (“leather wing”).

There is an Italian word “trepidazione” which does not quite mean “trepidation” but is a mix of positive expectation and nervousness, like just before one’s own birthday party, or before a first date. Can you think of an equivalent in English or in your language? 

The Spanish word “Arrebolar” literally translates ‘to turn red or crimson’. It is often used to describe when a part of a landscape turns red by the effect of sun rays. You might say the dawn is “arrebolado”.

Duende is a Spanish word that means “soul”, and thus can be used to refer to spirits or ghosts – but just like the English word “spirit” it also means emotional / mental energy, and it’s used in Spain when referring to Flamenco dancers. Flamenco is a form of dance in which “soul” is perhaps more important than sheer technique, a bit like in soul music!