From the author of Eating the Sun, an artistic collection of more than 50 drawings featuring unique, funny, and poignant foreign words that have no direct translation into English
Did you know that the Japanese language has a word to express the way sunlight filters through the leaves of trees? Or that there’s a Finnish word for the distance a reindeer can travel before needing to rest?
Lost in Translation brings to life more than fifty words that don’t have direct English translations with charming illustrations of their tender, poignant, and humorous definitions. Often these words provide insight into the cultures they come from, such as the Brazilian Portuguese word for running your fingers through a lover’s hair, the Italian word for being moved to tears by a story, or the Swedish word for a third cup of coffee.
In this clever and beautifully rendered exploration of the subtleties of communication, you’ll find new ways to express yourself while getting lost in the artistry of imperfect translation.
A New York Times bestseller.
"...a fantastic collection of words without English counterparts." -- Entertainment Weekly
"...a collection of words you never knew you needed before." -- Huffington Post
“… will make you think, laugh and discover situations you never knew there was a word for.” – ELLE Canada
“Charming illustrations and sheer linguistic delight” – Maria Popova, Brain Pickings