Translating the Christmas Spirit: festive expressions from around the world

It’s that time of year again! As well as enjoying the Christmas markets, pretty lights and festive foods, this season is a great opportunity to explore the richness of language and cultural variances in the celebrations that take place around the world. Let’s look at a few examples of the different expressions linked to traditions, customs and feelings that characterise this time of year!

Some words used to describe the yuletide spirit and atmosphere are harder to translate than others, as they express feelings and traditions that don’t exist in the same way elsewhere. Although not exclusively associated with Christmas, the Danish word hygge describes the feeling of togetherness, valued especially during the winter months. Hygge perfectly encapsulates the cosy feeling of being under a blanket with a hot drink in your hand and spending time with the family. Similarly, the literal translation of the Finnish term sisu doesn’t convey the full meaning of this characteristically Finnish quality. It is most accurately translated as grit, strength and determination and, like hygge, it is not specifically seasonal, but it is particularly applicable to getting through the long winter months. Another example is Weihnachtsstimmung, which is a combination of the words for Christmas (Weinachten) and atmosphere (Stimmung) and is used by German speakers to describe the magical feeling of Christmas itself. Similarly, the Norwegian word Julestemning combines the spirit of the season with the atmospheric conditions of Scandinavian winters.

Across the world, food makes up an essential part of celebrations and every culture has special expressions associated with its own delicacies and customs. Renowned for their spectacular culinary tradition, Italians often say “Panettone, più torrone, più capitone, più cenone, uguale a indigestione” (which translates as “Panettone, plus nougat, plus eel, plus a big feast, equals indigestion”!), in reference to the many dishes enjoyed at Christmas, thus highlighting the importance of food in Italian celebrations. Another example of a word used in Scandinavian countries is julebord, which literally means ‘Christmas table’ and refers to thelavish festive feast enjoyed at this time of year, a time to celebrate and enjoy being together.

Many cultures’ holiday celebrations are centred around language and oral traditions. The Mexican tradition of Las Posadas, which is a re-enactment of Mary and Joseph’s search for shelter, includes a procession, music and singing and blends religious and cultural heritage. Additionally, traditions in many cultures emphasise the value of storytelling: African American Kwanzaa celebrations often include stories of African heritage and recitals of poetry and other writings relating to principles such as unity (Umoja) and self-determination (Kujichagulia). In Iceland, the ‘Christmas Book Flood’ (Jólabókaflóð) refers to the tradition of exchanging books and reading them on Christmas Eve.

The festive season is great chance to see how language and culture are so deeply intertwined, and how common phrases in some languages are simply untranslatable! Why not try learning a new foreign phrase this festive period? It could be the start of a new appreciation for linguistic variances and the ways people use language to celebrate this time of year.

We hope you’ve enjoyed this brief look into a handful of festive phrases and from all the team here at Fluent Planet, we wish you a very happy holiday season, however you choose to enjoy it! 😊