Linear Algebra Provides Mathematical Framework for Understanding Untranslatable Words
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mrcgnc
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Summary
The article explores the concept of untranslatable words through a mathematical lens, specifically using linear algebra to explain why some words cannot be perfectly translated between languages. The author argues that language can be viewed as a vector space where words occupy unique positions, and translation is like a linear transformation that cannot always preserve all semantic relationships. The piece provides a mathematical framework for understanding linguistic untranslatability, suggesting that some words have semantic components that don't map cleanly between different language systems.
Key quotes
· 4 pulledA part of me still hasn't recovered from learning that some people believe there is no such thing as an untranslatable word.
Now I remember, though: you need to see language as (a lit...)
A modest mathematical framing of language
Linear Algebra Explains Why Some Words Are Effectively Untranslatable
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