LOANWORDS : WORDS THAT ARE BORROWED FROM OTHER LANGUAGE SUBTITLE: HOW LANGUAGE BORROW AND NEVER RETURN, OR FOREIGN WORDS THAT FEEL RIGHT AT HOME
- ICT ALSA LC Unsri
- Sep 11
- 3 min read
Updated: Sep 13
Written By : Fhaliq Enriya Zubahda
What are Loanwords:
Loanwords are words that are taken from another language that is used like English's own. You speak more foreign languages than you think! Loanwords are words borrowed from other languages and used in English as part of everyday vocabulary. Some are adopted without much change (like “tsunami”), while others are adapted slightly in spelling or pronunciation. English is one of the most borrowed languages in the world!
If you speak English, that means you know more foreign words than you thought. Why? It's because English extensively adopts words from many languages. English borrowed so many words from foreign languages to use as part of its national language. These words are called loanwords. Loanwords are original words from other languages that are adapted to the English language. Some phrases might be spelled with different tones, because they get re-adopted rather than getting re-generate. For example karaoke. This word came from japan and it is spelled “kara” (空) and “oke” (オケ) it means empty orchestra.
EXAMPLES of Loanwords in English:
Here are some awesome examples of loanwords that come from all around the world!
English Words borrowed from Japan
Emoji - a little picture used in digital communication.
Karaoke - singing along with recorded music for fun.
Tsunami - a long, high wave caused by an earthquake.
English Words Borrowed from Greek
Democracy - a government system by the people of the country.
Symphony - a piece of music for a full orchestra.
Philosophy - the study of basic ideas about knowledge, life, reality, religion, truth, nature.
English Words Borrowed from Italian
Balcony - a platform on the outside of a building.
Graffiti - writings or drawings on a public surface like a wall
Piano - a large keyboard musical instrument
Fun fact:
Kindergarten is 100% German! In German it means “Children”s garden". Sounds wholesome right?
Why do Loanwords Exist?
This language phenomenon called Loanwords occurs as a result of “language contact”. Language contact is an event where different languages interact with each other, which arises in various social, cultural, and historical contexts.
For example, when a society encounters new concepts, technologies and cultural practices for which it has no existing terms, it often borrows the words from the source's culture. Like sushi and tsunami which are borrowed from Japan. Another reason this phenomenon occurs is because of mass media and pop culture.
Language Contact: When different languages meet due to trade, colonization, migration, etc.
Concept Gaps: When a culture lacks a word for a new idea or object.
Pop Culture & Media Influence: Words like “sushi” or “anime” became widespread through cultural exports.
Internet & Globalization: Words spread faster than ever, especially through online communication.
So…..Is English even English??
Not really…English is a mash-up or a mix of a bunch of different languages. Fun fact, 60% of the English words are Loanwords. Some research even says 80%. So yeah, the words you use on a day to day basis may be Loanwords.
So now that you know the origin of some English words. Can you name any other loanwords? Drop yours in the comment below.
Sources
Cambridge dictionary. “Loanwords”. Access: LOANWORD | English meaning - Cambridge DictionaryCambridge Dictionaryhttps://dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › loanword.
Busuu, “Loanwords: How English Borrow words with 60 examples”. Access:: https://www.busuu.com/en/english/loan-words
Dictionary.com, “Which Words Did English Take From Other Languages?”. Access:
https://www.dictionary.com/e/borrowed-words/.
Durkin, P. (2014). Borrowed Words: A History of Loanwords in English. Oxford University Press.
Campbell, L. (2013). Historical Linguistics: An Introduction (3rd ed.). Edinburgh University Press.
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