Happiness–Found in Translation

Description

A beautifully illustrated dictionary of words from around the world that describe experiences of happiness for which there are no equivalents in the English language.

Have you ever had a feeling that you couldn’t quite describe because there was no word in English that captured it? Our ability to fully experience moments of joy in our lives can be limited by the words at our disposal. In this magical book, psychologist Tim Lomas surveys words from around the world to help readers put their finger on feelings of happiness that before might have lingered for only a moment in their mind’s eye before disappearing. The ideal gift for language lovers, or for anyone looking for a megadose of pure joy, Happiness–Found in Translation features such “untranslatable” words as:

Bazodee: A Creole (Trinidad and Tobago) word to describe a dizzy and dazed happiness, a bewildered, discombobulated joy.

Charmolypi: A Greek word for the sad, joy-making sorrow when happiness and sadness intermingle.

Wú wéi: A Chinese term for natural, spontaneous, and effortless action, skilfully flowing with the currents of life.

Happiness–Found in Translation gives readers access to the great happiness that the world’s languages have to offer.”This little book had a big impact on my heart. Not only do I have a better understanding of the language and nuances of happiness, but now I can express the feelings I never had words for before. Every page made me smile.”
— Courtney Carver, author of Soulful Simplicity 

“A simple yet thought-provoking read that will change the way you think about, and define, happiness.”
— Marc and Angel Chernoff, New York Times bestselling authors of Getting Back to Happy

“Delightful!”
–Martin Seligman, PhD, bestselling author of Learned OptimismTim Lomas is one of Europe’s leading experts on positive psychology and the creator of the Positive Lexicography Project. He is a senior lecturer on Europe’s preeminent postgraduate course in positive psychology, the MSc in Applied Positive Psychology and Coaching Psychology at the University of East London. Lomas blogs regularly for Psychology Today and writes a regular series for The Psychologist. His Positive Lexicography Project has been featured in The New Yorker, Scientific American, Time, The Sunday Times, and The Daily Mail, as well as on radio programs such as BBC Radio 4’s All in the Mind.CN