My article this week in UK’s Newspaper: Gujarat Samachar

you can check my article directly on Gujarat Samachar Ukase website on link : https://www.gujarat-samachar.com/લેખ/વિવિધા/‘ભાષાંતરમાં-અંતર’ઃ-બિકોઝ-ઈંગ,

I’ve put a translated version below tis screen shot of E-news paper:

(you can choose your language in main menu)

Did you know? Some Gujarati words and phrases are like a mysterious code! If you translate them directly into English, not only does their meaning change, but the sweetness and depth also get lost somewhere. These words aren’t just a combination of letters; they are a legacy of our culture, a mirror of our lifestyle, and sometimes, even our identity. Let’s talk about some such words today and see why translating them is so difficult, and sometimes, the attempt is even hilarious!

Understanding the Untranslatable

First, let’s talk about ‘ટાઢક’. The feeling of ‘ટાઢક’ is much broader than ‘coolness’ or ‘relief’. It can be physical peace, like the ‘ટાઢક’ you feel when a cool breeze blows in the heat, and it can also be mental peace, like the feeling of ‘ટાઢક વળી’ when a worry disappears. It’s a pleasant and satisfying experience. There’s no English equivalent for the ‘ટાઢક’ you get after drinking a glass of cold water after a long day’s work!

And then there’s our ‘હૈયું’. ‘Heart’ is just an organ, but ‘હૈયું’ is the center of emotions, a source of courage and bravery. When we say ‘હૈયું ભરાઈ આવ્યું’, it’s not just about the heart filling up, but the feeling of being overwhelmed with deep emotions. ‘મારા હૈયામાં ડર બેઠો છે’—this is not about the heart but about the mind.

The feeling of being dependent on someone is ‘ઓશિયાળું’. ‘Helpless’ or ‘pitiful’ can describe many, but ‘ઓશિયાળું’ is a mixed feeling of helplessness, shame, and sometimes gratitude experienced when you have to rely on someone. It’s the realization of one’s own weakness and the compulsion to rely on someone’s help. The feeling you get when you have to extend your hand to someone is ‘ઓશિયાળું’.

The Joy and Struggle of Words

The spontaneous joy that overflows from the heart is ‘ઉમળકો’. ‘Enthusiasm’ or ‘excitement’ are close, but ‘ઉમળકો’ is a genuine joy, love, or excitement that overflows from the heart. When you meet a loved one, your ‘હૈયું’ fills up, and the natural feeling that comes out is ‘ઉમળકો’. There is no pretense in it. ‘આજે તો મને તને જોઈને ઉમળકો આવી ગયો!’—where does the deep emotion in this sentence come from in ‘got excited’?

Then there’s ‘ગળચું’. We call the discomfort of something stuck in our throat ‘ગળચું’. But this is not just physical; it can also be emotional. When something gets stuck in your throat and you can’t say it, you feel a ‘ગળચું’, right? When someone is angry and can’t say it, their ‘ગળચું’ feels full.

Now, let’s talk about the mouth-watering ‘ફાફડા-જલેબી’. When you say ‘Fafda and Jalebi,’ does it bring the taste of this breakfast on a Sunday morning? These are not just two dishes but a tradition, an emotion. Whether it’s a festival or a holiday, this duo is always present! The sweet and salty taste is permanently etched in the hearts of Gujaratis.

It’s similar with ‘ડાયરો’. ‘Folk gathering’ or ‘musical evening’ fall short. ‘ડાયરો’ is something else entirely. Here, there is no wall between the artist and the audience. There’s a flurry of folk songs, a gathering for poetry, waves of laughter, and a sea of conversation. An artist cracks a joke, and the audience cheers—where would you find this atmosphere in English? This is a living example of our rural culture.

Deeply Rooted Concepts

‘ભાવ’ is a word with multiple meanings. ‘Price’ is also called ‘ભાવ’, ’emotion’ is also called ‘ભાવ’, and in the spiritual world, its glory is immeasurable. Deep feelings of devotion or a connection with God are also called ‘ભાવ’. From ‘માર્કેટમાં ભાવ શું ચાલે છે?’ to ‘મારા મનમાં ભાવ ઊઠી આવ્યો!’—this diversity of the word ‘ભાવ’ cannot be found in a single English word. That’s why finding a single English equivalent for this word is almost impossible.

And finally, ‘છાશ’. You might say ‘buttermilk,’ but our ‘છાશ’ is different. It’s not just a drink but an integral part of the meal. It provides coolness in the heat and improves digestion after eating. And yes, the tempering of cumin and spices in it makes its taste unique in the world! Foreigners are happy drinking Punjabi lassi, but the greatness of our ‘છાશ’ is something else!

Then there are our ‘સંસ્કાર’. While ‘values,’ ‘ethics,’ or ‘culture’ exist, what about the nurturing that ‘સંસ્કાર’includes? What about the heritage of qualities passed down from generation to generation? This is the foundation of a person’s personality, which teaches them to differentiate between good and bad and gives them an understanding of how to live in society. Teaching a child to bow down to elders—that’s our ‘સંસ્કાર’! How do you translate that?

And what about ‘મામેરું’ at a wedding? If you say ‘traditional gifts from maternal uncle,’ where will you get the feeling of love between the maternal uncle and niece, the financial and emotional support a bride receives as she enters her new home? This is not just a gift but a blessing bound by the thread of tradition. ‘લો, મામાનું મામેરું આવ્યું!’—does the happiness in this sentence get expressed with just ‘Uncle’s gifts arrived’?

These are just a few examples. There are so many words and phrases that give the Gujarati language a unique identity. These words reflect the depth of our culture and the beauty of our lifestyle. Even if their direct English translation is difficult, we should always preserve the feelings and meanings hidden in them because these words are our true identity!