Word Formation: Borrowing

Summary

This video from Ace Linguistics discusses how languages influence each other through borrowing, focusing on loanwords and loan translations. Borrowing is a common source of new words, especially in English, which has adopted terms like 'croissant' from French and 'piano' from Italian. The video also explores how English words, such as 'skyscraper,' have been loan-translated into other languages like French, Dutch, and German. Additionally, the concept of loan translation, like 'Superman' from German's 'Übermensch,' is explained. The video highlights the global linguistic exchange and its impact on language development.

Takeaways

• 🌍 Languages influence each other when they come into contact, often borrowing words or expressions.
• 💪 Power dynamics don't always dictate borrowing; even a conquered nation can influence the conqueror's language.
• 🔄 Borrowing is a common way for languages to gain new words, especially in English.
• 🥐 English has borrowed many words from various languages, such as 'croissant' from French, 'dope' from Dutch, and 'pretzel' from German.
• 📚 A borrowed word is called a 'loan word,' with many examples in English from other languages like Arabic, Tahitian, and Japanese.
• 🔠 English is now a major source of borrowed words for other languages in today’s globalized world.
• 📝 Loan translations occur when a word is translated element by element, such as 'Superman' from German 'Übermensch.'
• 🏙 The English word 'skyscraper' has been loan translated into multiple languages like French, Dutch, and German.
• 🎎 English has also borrowed loan translations from other languages, such as 'to lose face' from Chinese.
• 👋 Phrases like 'long time no see' may also be loan translations, possibly from Chinese or indigenous languages.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video?

The main topic of the video is how languages influence each other through borrowing, including both loan words and loan translations.

What is a 'loan word' in linguistics?

A loan word is a word that one language borrows from another. For example, the English word 'croissant' is borrowed from French.

Can you give examples of loan words in English from different languages?

Examples of loan words in English include 'croissant' from French, 'dope' from Dutch, 'lilac' from Persian, 'piano' from Italian, 'pretzel' from German, 'sofa' from Arabic, and 'tattoo' from Tahitian.

What is a 'loan translation'?

A loan translation, or calque, occurs when a phrase is translated part by part from one language into another. An example is the English word 'Superman,' which comes from the German 'Übermensch,' where 'über' means 'super' and 'mensch' means 'man.'

What is an example of an English word that has been loan-translated into other languages?

The English word 'skyscraper' has been loan-translated into multiple languages, such as 'Gratte-ciel' in French, 'Wolkkrabber' in Dutch, 'Wolkenkratzer' in German, and 'Rascacielos' in Spanish.

How has English influenced other languages?

English, due to its global influence, has contributed many loan words and loan translations to other languages around the world. For example, English words like 'skyscraper' and phrases like 'to lose face' have been borrowed or translated into various languages.

What does the term 'übermensch' mean in German, and how has it been adapted in English?

In German, 'übermensch' means 'superman,' with 'über' meaning 'super' and 'mensch' meaning 'man.' This has been adapted into English as the word 'Superman,' which is a loan translation.

What is the difference between a loan word and a loan translation?

A loan word is a word borrowed directly from another language, while a loan translation involves translating the components of a phrase or word part by part from the source language into the target language.

Can you give examples of English phrases that are loan translations from other languages?

Examples of English loan translations include 'to lose face,' which likely comes from Chinese, and 'long time no see,' which may have origins in Chinese or indigenous languages of the Americas.

Why does borrowing happen between languages, even in cases of power imbalance?

Borrowing happens because languages naturally influence each other when they come into contact, regardless of the power dynamics. In some cases, even a dominant conquering nation may borrow linguistic elements from the people they conquer.