She could smell the thick, hazy air as she danced in jammed mosh pits with Olle. His blue eyes flashing dark and velvet.
“Anaya?”
And feel the cool, clear water dripping from Matthias’ long golden hair as they skinny dipped. His skin shimmering under the ripples.
“What is the most important quality in your future husband?”
And see the easy, carefree smile spreading across Nils’ face as they awoke. His long legs tangled in the sheets.
“Bring some cucumber water for her nerves.”
Her friends were sure she’d never return home. Much less agree to an arranged marriage.
“What is the most important quality in your future husband?” They repeated.
“Trygghet.” She said after a few minutes.
They raised their eyebrows.
“Something I learned in Sweden.”
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_________
Beauty of the World: In this series I use an “untranslatable word” in a story.
These wonderful words capture the beauty of languages around the world.
.
Untranslatable Word:
Trygghet (Swedish, n.): security, safety, confidence, certainty, trust.
.
_________
For more wonderfully untranslatable words, see:
- Untranslatable Words, by Tim Lomas, PhD.
- Lost in Translation: An Illustrated Compendium of Untranslatable Words, by Ella Frances Sanders
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Fascinating series, this. Enjoying it!
‘security, safety, confidence, certainty, trust’
Wonder how you measure the fourth of those. Other than the certainty of death, of course, tabulated in the usual annual way.
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Thank you for the wonderful compliment. I’m delighted you’re enjoying it!
Excellent question. We can be certain of a few things in life, but when it comes to people… can we ever really know another person? How well do we know ourselves, for that matter? Which raises an interesting point: if we don’t have certainty, can we have security, safety, confidence and trust? Perhaps it comes down to probabilities and degrees. Or, maybe, ignorance really is bliss.
“Certainty of death tabulated in the usual annual way” — this should be my new celebration! 🙂
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That’s another really great word, huh? Nicely used!
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It is, isn’t it?
Thanks very much! 🙂
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A fine quality in a partner – and a fine post about Trygghet too!
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I agree with you! Thanks so much. 🙂
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Oh, that was fun! Logophile’s delight!
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I’m so glad! Thank you very much. 🙂
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