
Contents
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Linguistic Relativity Linguistic Relativity
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Experiential Cartography Experiential Cartography
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Untranslatable Words Untranslatable Words
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Conclusion Conclusion
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References References
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18 The (Un)translatability of Well-Being
Get accessTim Lomas is a Senior Lecturer in positive psychology at the University of East London. Since 2013, Tim has published numerous papers and books relating to well-being, involving topics that include linguistics, mindfulness, Buddhism, gender, art, and cross-cultural enquiry. His current main area of research involves creating a lexicography of untranslatable words relating to well-being (www.drtimlomas.com/lexicography).
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Published:08 June 2020
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Abstract
Positive psychology—the scientific study of well-being—has made considerable strides in understanding its subject matter since emerging in the late 1990s. However, like mainstream psychology more broadly, it can be deemed relatively Western-centric, with its concepts and priorities influenced by ways of thinking and understanding that are prominent in Western cultures. Consequently, the field would benefit from greater cross-cultural awareness, engagement, and understanding. One such means of doing so is through the study of “untranslatable” words (i.e., those lacking an exact equivalent in another language, in this case English). This chapter reflects on the nature of untranslatable words, considers their significance to positive psychology (and psychology more broadly), and offers suggestions for why and how the field should engage with them.
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