IN OTHER WORDS: An Illustrated Miscellany

Ever wracked your brain for a word you're convinced should exist, yet is inexplicably absent from the dictionary? All languages have their limitations and should English fall short, the expression may lie elsewhere. That's where this book comes in - a quirky, international lexicon of linguistic gems that capture cultural untranslatables with satisfying precision. Covering 35 cultures, the mots justes are grouped by language and embellished with characterful illustrations. The compound word from German mixing 'world' and 'pain' is Weltschmerz, ranging from world-weariness to head clutching despair. Another example is the Japanese yoko meshi, 'a meal eaten sideways', describing the experience of trying to communicate in an alien tongue, or mono-no-aware, the appreciation of life's sadness. From the distinctive coziness of the Danish hygge, to the unrestrained dis of the Mayan bol (in-laws and stupidity), to the profound collectivism of the Zulu concept of ubuntu - roughly, 'I am because we are'. Prefaced with insightful overviews of the relevant cultures by linguist Christopher Moore and with a foreword by Simon Winchester. 128 pages, beautifully designed with plenty of white space and rather quirky fun colour full page illustrations.