adjectives - What would you call a word that doesn't exist in or translate well into another language?


I've run into this situation several times, being a native Spanish speaker.


There are some words you just can't translate into another language. Is there a particular word to describe this?


I'm not refering to idioms.


Also, if its a noun, people tend to use them by surrounding them in quotes. Is this appropiate?


Example:



I arrived at around 5 pm and had some quesadillas.



Edit:


I also meant to cover words that exist in English, but cannot be translated into another language.


Example:



There isn't a word for "drive-thru" in your language.




Answer



The word you are looking for is: Realia.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Realia_(translation)


Entering in the field of translation studies, a radical terminological change must be enforced: «realia», in fact, does not mean objects, but signs, words and, more precisely, those words signifying objects of the material culture, especially pertaining to a local culture. It is, therefore, necessary to distinguish realia-objects (mostly outside translation studies) and realiawords (mostly inside translation studies). Realia as the units of translation are divided into abbreviations and phrases. Also they may be divided into the geographic and ethnographic realia. The geographic realias are names of the geographic and atmospheric objects and endemic species. Etnographic realia describe everyday life and culture of nations, their spiritual and material culture, traditions, religion, art, folklore etc. Etnographic realias are those connected with everyday life, art and culture, names of residents and ethnic objects, currency units.


http://archive.nbuv.gov.ua/portal/soc_gum/Vduep_fn/2012_1/41.pdf


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