Experiential cartography and the significance of “untranslatable” words

Article

Lomas, T. 2018. Experiential cartography and the significance of “untranslatable” words. Theory & Psychology. 28 (4), pp. 476-495. https://doi.org/10.1177/0959354318772914
AuthorsLomas, T.
Abstract

Mainstream psychology can be regarded as largely Western-centric, with its concepts and priorities biased towards Western ways of thinking and understanding. Consequently, the field would benefit from greater cross-cultural awareness and engagement. To that end, this article offers one means of engagement, the study of “untranslatable” words (i.e., terms without an exact equivalent in another language, in our case English). A key function of language is that it offers a “map” that allows us to understand and navigate the world. In that respect, such words point to cultural variation in the maps we use, and even to variation in the actual territory mapped. The paper concludes with suggestions for why and how psychology could benefit from engaging with such words.

JournalTheory & Psychology
Journal citation28 (4), pp. 476-495
ISSN0959-3543
Year2018
PublisherSAGE Publications
Accepted author manuscript
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1177/0959354318772914
Web address (URL)https://doi.org/10.1177/0959354318772914
Publication dates
Online13 May 2018
Publication process dates
Deposited21 May 2018
Accepted20 Mar 2018
Accepted20 Mar 2018
Copyright informationAs accepted for publication in Theory & Psychology: Lomas, Tim (2018) ‘Experiential cartography and the significance of “untranslatable” words’, Theory & Psychology, 28(4): 476-495, (10.1177/0959354318772914). Copyright © 2018 Lomas. Reprinted by permission of SAGE Publications.
LicenseAll rights reserved
Permalink -

https://repository.uel.ac.uk/item/84825

Log in to edit

Download files

Accepted author manuscript
Lomas (2018) - Experiential cartography (uploadable).pdf

  • 378
    total views
  • 601
    total downloads
  • 0
    views this month
  • 0
    downloads this month

Export as

Related outputs

Towards a framework for flourishing through social media: a systematic review of 118 research studies
Gudka, M., Gardiner, K. L. K. and Lomas, T. 2023. Towards a framework for flourishing through social media: a systematic review of 118 research studies. Journal of Positive Psychology. 18 (1), pp. 86-105. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2021.1991447
The value of ambivalent emotions: a cross-cultural lexical analysis
Lomas, T. 2023. The value of ambivalent emotions: a cross-cultural lexical analysis. Qualitative Research in Psychology. 20 (2), pp. 193-217. https://doi.org/10.1080/14780887.2017.1400143
Ethical guidelines for positive psychology practice (Version 2.0: English)
Jarden, A., Rashid, T., Roache, A. and Lomas, T. 2021. Ethical guidelines for positive psychology practice (Version 2.0: English). International Journal of Wellbeing. 11 (3), pp. 1-38. https://doi.org/10.5502/ijw.v11i3.1819
The role of courage in the development and practice of coaches
Wood, C. and Lomas, T. 2021. The role of courage in the development and practice of coaches. International Journal of Evidence Based Coaching and Mentoring. 19 (1), pp. 28-43. https://doi.org/10.24384/6nkg-kq80
Positive coaching psychology: A case study in the hybridization of positive psychology
Lomas, T. 2020. Positive coaching psychology: A case study in the hybridization of positive psychology. International Journal of Wellbeing. 10 (2), pp. 37-52. https://doi.org/10.5502/ijw.v10i2.1083
Can positivity be counterproductive when suffering domestic abuse?: A narrative review
Sinclair, E., Hart, R. and Lomas, T. 2020. Can positivity be counterproductive when suffering domestic abuse?: A narrative review. International Journal of Wellbeing. 10 (1), pp. 26-53. https://doi.org/10.5502/ijw.v10i1.754
‘It’s about wholeness. I love my awesomeness and I love my flawesomeness’: An IPA analysis of coaching with the shadow in mind
Gourov, D. and Lomas, T. 2019. ‘It’s about wholeness. I love my awesomeness and I love my flawesomeness’: An IPA analysis of coaching with the shadow in mind. The Coaching Psychologist. 15 (2), pp. 11-21.
The Elements of Eco-Connection: A Cross-Cultural Lexical Enquiry
Lomas, T. 2019. The Elements of Eco-Connection: A Cross-Cultural Lexical Enquiry. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 16 (Art. 5120). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16245120
Developing ethical guidelines for positive psychology practice: An on-going, iterative, collaborative endeavour
Lomas, T., Roache, A., Rashid, T. and Jarden, A. 2019. Developing ethical guidelines for positive psychology practice: An on-going, iterative, collaborative endeavour. The Journal of Positive Psychology. 15 (6), pp. 716-721. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2019.1651892
Ethical guidelines for positive psychology practice
Jarden, A., Rashid, T., Roache, A. and Lomas, T. 2019. Ethical guidelines for positive psychology practice. International Journal of Wellbeing. 9 (3), pp. 1-30. https://doi.org/10.5502/ijw.v9i3.921
Positive Semiotics
Lomas, T. 2019. Positive Semiotics. Review of General Psychology. 23 (3), pp. 359-370. https://doi.org/10.1177/1089268019832849
Anger as a moral emotion: A 'bird's eye' systematic review
Lomas, T. 2019. Anger as a moral emotion: A 'bird's eye' systematic review. Counselling Psychology Quarterly. 32 (3-4), pp. 341-395. https://doi.org/10.1080/09515070.2019.1589421
Positive work: A Multidimensional Overview and Analysis of Work-Related Drivers of Wellbeing
Lomas, T. 2019. Positive work: A Multidimensional Overview and Analysis of Work-Related Drivers of Wellbeing. International Journal of Applied Positive Psychology. 3 (1-3), p. 69–96. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41042-019-00016-5
Etymologies of wellbeing: Exploring the non-English roots of English words used in positive psychology
Lomas, T. 2019. Etymologies of wellbeing: Exploring the non-English roots of English words used in positive psychology. The Journal of Positive Psychology. 15 (3), pp. 373-389. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2019.1615107
The spatial contours of wellbeing: A content analysis of metaphor in academic discourse
Lomas, T. 2018. The spatial contours of wellbeing: A content analysis of metaphor in academic discourse. The Journal of Positive Psychology. 14 (3), pp. 362-376. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2018.1450437
The quiet virtues of sadness: A selective theoretical and interpretative appreciation of its potential contribution to wellbeing
Lomas, T. 2018. The quiet virtues of sadness: A selective theoretical and interpretative appreciation of its potential contribution to wellbeing. New Ideas in Psychology. 49, pp. 18-26. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.newideapsych.2018.01.002
The spectrum of positive affect: A cross-cultural lexical analysis
Lomas, T. 2017. The spectrum of positive affect: A cross-cultural lexical analysis. International Journal of Wellbeing. 7 (3), pp. 1-18. https://doi.org/10.5502/ijw.v7i3.608
The dynamics of spirituality: A cross-cultural analysis of untranslatable terms
Lomas, T. 2018. The dynamics of spirituality: A cross-cultural analysis of untranslatable terms. Psychology of Religion and Spirituality. 11 (2), pp. 131-140. https://doi.org/10.1037/rel0000163
The flavours of love: A cross-cultural lexical analysis
Lomas, T. 2018. The flavours of love: A cross-cultural lexical analysis. Journal for the Theory of Social Behaviour. 48, pp. 134-152. https://doi.org/10.1111/jtsb.12158
An Art History of Happiness: Western Approaches to the Good Life through the Last 1000 Years, As Illustrated in Art
Lomas, T. and Lomas, Colin 2018. An Art History of Happiness: Western Approaches to the Good Life through the Last 1000 Years, As Illustrated in Art. Journal of Positive Psychology and Wellbeing.
The Roots of Virtue: A Cross-Cultural Lexical Analysis
Lomas, T. 2018. The Roots of Virtue: A Cross-Cultural Lexical Analysis. Journal of Happiness Studies. 20 (4), pp. 1259-1279. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-018-9997-8
Gritty Leaders: The Impact of Grit on Positive Leadership Capacity
Schimschal, Sarah E. and Lomas, T. 2018. Gritty Leaders: The Impact of Grit on Positive Leadership Capacity. Psychological Reports. 122 (4), pp. 1449-1470. https://doi.org/10.1177/0033294118785547
Mindfulness-based interventions in the workplace: An inclusive systematic review and meta-analysis of their impact upon wellbeing
Lomas, T., Medina, Juan Carlos, Ivtzan, I., Rupprecht, Silke and Eiroa-Orosa, Francisco José 2018. Mindfulness-based interventions in the workplace: An inclusive systematic review and meta-analysis of their impact upon wellbeing. The Journal of Positive Psychology. 14 (5), pp. 625-640. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2018.1519588
The dimensions of prosociality: a cross-cultural lexical analysis
Lomas, T. 2018. The dimensions of prosociality: a cross-cultural lexical analysis. Current Psychology. 40, p. 1336–1347. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-018-0067-5
A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of the Impact of Mindfulness-Based Interventions on the Well-Being of Healthcare Professionals
Lomas, T., Medina, Juan Carlos, Ivtzan, I., Rupprecht, Silke and Eiroá-Orosa, Francisco 2018. A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of the Impact of Mindfulness-Based Interventions on the Well-Being of Healthcare Professionals. Mindfulness. 10 (7), p. 1193–1216. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-018-1062-5
Developing a Growth Mindset through outdoor personal development: can an intervention underpinned by psychology increase the impact of an outdoor learning course for young people?
O’Brien, Kate and Lomas, T. 2016. Developing a Growth Mindset through outdoor personal development: can an intervention underpinned by psychology increase the impact of an outdoor learning course for young people? Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning. 17 (2), pp. 133-147. https://doi.org/10.1080/14729679.2016.1232199
‘It’s like taking a bit of masculinity away from you’: towards a theoretical understanding of men’s experiences of infertility
Dolan, Alan, Lomas, T., Ghobara, Tarek and Hartshorne, Geraldine 2017. ‘It’s like taking a bit of masculinity away from you’: towards a theoretical understanding of men’s experiences of infertility. Sociology of Health & Illness. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-9566.12548
Mindfulness in sport and physical exercise
Kampman, H. and Lomas, T. 2017. Mindfulness in sport and physical exercise. in: Brady, A. and Grenville-Cleave, B. (ed.) Positive Psychology in Sport and Physical Activity: An Introduction Routledge. pp. 92–101
The impact of mindfulness on well-being and performance in the workplace: an inclusive systematic review of the empirical literature
Lomas, T., Medina, Juan Carlos, Ivtzan, I., Rupprecht, Silke, Hart, R. and Eiroa-Orosa, Francisco José 2017. The impact of mindfulness on well-being and performance in the workplace: an inclusive systematic review of the empirical literature. European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1080/1359432X.2017.1308924
Zen and the Art of Living Mindfully: The Health-Enhancing Potential of Zen Aesthetics
Lomas, T., Etcoff, N., Van Gordon, W. and Shonin, E. 2017. Zen and the Art of Living Mindfully: The Health-Enhancing Potential of Zen Aesthetics. Journal of Religion and Health. 56 (5), pp. 1720-1739. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-017-0446-5
A systematic review of the impact of mindfulness on the well-being of healthcare professionals
Lomas, T., Medina, Juan Carlos, Ivtzan, I., Rupprecht, Silke and Eiroá-Orosa, F. 2017. A systematic review of the impact of mindfulness on the well-being of healthcare professionals. Journal of Clinical Psychology. 74 (3), pp. 319-355. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.22515
The impact of mindfulness on the wellbeing and performance of educators: A systematic review of the empirical literature
Lomas, T., Medina, Juan Carlos, Ivtzan, I., Rupprecht, Silke and Eiroá-Orosa, F. 2016. The impact of mindfulness on the wellbeing and performance of educators: A systematic review of the empirical literature. Teaching and Teacher Education. 61, pp. 132-141. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2016.10.008
Professionalising positive psychology: Developing guidelines for training and regulation
Lomas, T. and Ivtzan, I. 2016. Professionalising positive psychology: Developing guidelines for training and regulation. International Journal of Wellbeing. 6 (3), pp. 96-112.
The art of second wave positive psychology: Harnessing Zen aesthetics to explore the dialectics of flourishing
Lomas, T. 2016. The art of second wave positive psychology: Harnessing Zen aesthetics to explore the dialectics of flourishing. International Journal of Wellbeing. 6 (2), pp. 14-29.
A meditation on boredom: Re-appraising its value through introspective phenomenology
Lomas, T. 2016. A meditation on boredom: Re-appraising its value through introspective phenomenology. Qualitative Research in Psychology. 14 (1), pp. 1-22. https://doi.org/10.1080/14780887.2016.1205695
Flourishing as a dialectical balance: emerging insights from second-wave positive psychology
Lomas, T. 2016. Flourishing as a dialectical balance: emerging insights from second-wave positive psychology. Palgrave Communications. 2, p. 16018.
Positive Art: Artistic Expression and Appreciation as an Exemplary Vehicle for Flourishing.
Lomas, T. 2016. Positive Art: Artistic Expression and Appreciation as an Exemplary Vehicle for Flourishing. Review of General Psychology. 20 (2), pp. 171-182. https://doi.org/10.1037/gpr0000073
Personal and Collective Resilience Building- A Suicide Prevention Program for Schools Using Positive Psychology. Consultancy Project for an Irish Secondary School
Ward-Goldsmith, Caroline and Lomas, T. 2016. Personal and Collective Resilience Building- A Suicide Prevention Program for Schools Using Positive Psychology. Consultancy Project for an Irish Secondary School. Journal of Neurology & Stroke. 4 (3), p. 00133.
Recontextualizing Mindfulness: Theravada Buddhist Perspectives on the Ethical and Spiritual Dimensions of Awareness.
Lomas, T. 2017. Recontextualizing Mindfulness: Theravada Buddhist Perspectives on the Ethical and Spiritual Dimensions of Awareness. Psychology of Religion and Spirituality. 9 (2), pp. 209-219. https://doi.org/10.1037/rel0000080
Difficulties generating self-compassion: An interpretative phenomenological analysis
Bayir, Aydan and Lomas, T. 2016. Difficulties generating self-compassion: An interpretative phenomenological analysis. The Journal of Happiness & Well-Being. 4 (1), pp. 15-33.
Mindful Living in Older Age: a Pilot Study of a Brief, Community-Based, Positive Aging Intervention
Lomas, T., Ivtzan, I. and Yong, Chee Yik 2016. Mindful Living in Older Age: a Pilot Study of a Brief, Community-Based, Positive Aging Intervention. Mindfulness. 7 (3), pp. 630-641. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-016-0498-8
Towards a positive cross-cultural lexicography: Enriching our emotional landscape through 216 ‘untranslatable’ words pertaining to well-being
Lomas, T. 2016. Towards a positive cross-cultural lexicography: Enriching our emotional landscape through 216 ‘untranslatable’ words pertaining to well-being. The Journal of Positive Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2015.1127993
Positive cross-cultural psychology: Exploring similarity and difference in constructions and experiences of wellbeing
Lomas, T. 2015. Positive cross-cultural psychology: Exploring similarity and difference in constructions and experiences of wellbeing. International Journal of Wellbeing. 5 (4), pp. 60-77.
Positive psychology – The second wave
Lomas, T. 2016. Positive psychology – The second wave. The Psychologist. 29, pp. 536-539.
Integrating Mindfulness into Positive Psychology: a Randomised Controlled Trial of an Online Positive Mindfulness Program
Ivtzan, I., Young, Tarli, Martman, Janis, Jeffrey, Allison, Lomas, T., Hart, Rona and Eiroá-Orosa, F. 2016. Integrating Mindfulness into Positive Psychology: a Randomised Controlled Trial of an Online Positive Mindfulness Program. Mindfulness. 7 (6), pp. 1396-1407. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-016-0581-1
Positive developmental psychology: A review of literature concerning well-being throughout the lifespan
Lomas, T., Hefferon, K. and Ivtzan, I. 2016. Positive developmental psychology: A review of literature concerning well-being throughout the lifespan. The Journal of Happiness & Well-Being. 4 (2), pp. 143-164.
A systematic review of the neurophysiology of mindfulness on EEG oscillations
Lomas, T., Ivtzan, I. and Fu, C. 2015. A systematic review of the neurophysiology of mindfulness on EEG oscillations. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews. 57, pp. 401-410.
Second Wave Positive Psychology: Exploring the Positive–Negative Dialectics of Wellbeing
Lomas, T. and Ivtzan, Itai 2015. Second Wave Positive Psychology: Exploring the Positive–Negative Dialectics of Wellbeing. Journal of Happiness Studies.
Cultivating equanimity through mindfulness meditation: A mixed methods enquiry into the development of decentring capabilities in men
Lomas, T., Edginton, Trudi, Cartwright, Tina and Ridge, Damien 2015. Cultivating equanimity through mindfulness meditation: A mixed methods enquiry into the development of decentring capabilities in men. International Journal of Wellbeing. 5 (3), pp. 88-106.
Positive Social Psychology: A Multilevel Inquiry Into Sociocultural Well-Being Initiatives.
Lomas, T. 2015. Positive Social Psychology: A Multilevel Inquiry Into Sociocultural Well-Being Initiatives. Psychology, Public Policy, and Law.
Making meaning through mentoring: Mentors finding fulfilment at work through self-determination and self-reflection
Kennett, Pam and Lomas, T. 2015. Making meaning through mentoring: Mentors finding fulfilment at work through self-determination and self-reflection. International Journal of Evidence Based Coaching and Mentoring. 13 (2), pp. 29-44.
New Ways of Being a Man: "Positive" Hegemonic Masculinity in Meditation-based Communities of Practice
Lomas, T., Cartwright, Tina, Edginton, Trudi and Ridge, Damien 2015. New Ways of Being a Man: "Positive" Hegemonic Masculinity in Meditation-based Communities of Practice. Men and Masculinities. 19 (3), pp. 289-310.
A religion of wellbeing? The appeal of Buddhism to men in London, United Kingdom.
Lomas, T., Cartwright, Tina, Edginton, Trudi and Ridge, Damien 2014. A religion of wellbeing? The appeal of Buddhism to men in London, United Kingdom. Psychology of Religion and Spirituality. 6 (3), pp. 198-207.
The LIFE Model: A Meta-Theoretical Conceptual Map for Applied Positive Psychology
Lomas, T., Hefferon, K. and Ivtzan, I. 2014. The LIFE Model: A Meta-Theoretical Conceptual Map for Applied Positive Psychology. Journal of Happiness Studies.
A Qualitative Analysis of Experiential Challenges Associated with Meditation Practice
Lomas, T., Cartwright, Tina, Edginton, Trudi and Ridge, Damien 2014. A Qualitative Analysis of Experiential Challenges Associated with Meditation Practice. Mindfulness.
Critical positive masculinity
Lomas, T. 2013. Critical positive masculinity. Masculinities and Social Change. 2 (2), pp. 167-193.
Engagement with meditation as a positive health trajectory: Divergent narratives of progress in male meditators
Lomas, T., Ridge, Damien, Cartwright, Tina and Edginton, Trudi 2013. Engagement with meditation as a positive health trajectory: Divergent narratives of progress in male meditators. Psychology and Health. 29 (2), pp. 218-236.
'I was so done in that I just recognized it very plainly, "You need to do something"': Men's narratives of struggle, distress and turning to meditation
Lomas, T., Cartwright, Tina, Edginton, Trudi and Ridge, Damian 2013. 'I was so done in that I just recognized it very plainly, "You need to do something"': Men's narratives of struggle, distress and turning to meditation. Health: An Interdisciplinary Journal for the Social Study of Health, Illness and Medicine. 17 (2), pp. 191-208. https://doi.org/10.1177/1363459312451178
Men Developing Emotional Intelligence Through Meditation? Integrating Narrative, Cognitive and Electroencephalography (EEG) Evidence.
Lomas, T., Edginton, Trudi, Cartwright, Tina and Ridge, Damien 2013. Men Developing Emotional Intelligence Through Meditation? Integrating Narrative, Cognitive and Electroencephalography (EEG) Evidence. Psychology of Men & Masculinity. 15 (2), pp. 213-224.