On the Fate of Loanwords in a Language (the Case of the German Language)

Introduction. The article discusses loanwords as one of the ways to expand lexis, the attitude towards foreign language units in the German language community, in particular, purist movements and efforts to preserve purity of the language, a brief analysis of loanwords in modern German is carried out. Currently, loanwords, especially those form English, have a crucial role in the process of lexis evolution. Analyzing this phenomenon and its perception by native speakers might help to suggest how the German language will evolve. Methodology and sources. In the course of the study, such concepts as “language evolution”, “loanwords”, “purism” were analyzed and described. The materials for the study were the articles of such linguists as E.D. Polivanov and M.D. Stepanova on the development and expansion of lexis, in particular the one of the German language, the works of sociolinguists, L.P. Krysin and I.V. Belikov, in particular, related to language evolution, as well as modern studies of the German language. Results and discussion. The article highlights modern sociolinguistic ideas about language evolution, considers loanwords as a significant part of this process. The diachronic and synchronic analysis of foreign language elements in the lexis of the German language is carried out, the main milestones in the development of purism in Germany are presented. The development of a language, like the development of any society, is inevitably influenced by foreign cultures that bring something new; isolated development is practically impossible. At different stages, the language borrows missing elements from the languages of those communities that have achieved greater success in one area or another. The perception of borrowed elements is directly influenced by the mood in the language community, the political situation and other extralinguistic factors. The conducted research suggests that despite the not always positive attitude of members of the language community to loanwords, the process of including words from other languages into the lexis is inevitable. Conclusion. Borrowings are an inevitable consequence of linguistic evolution taking place in close contact with other languages and cultures. At the moment, borrowings are an integral part of the lexis of the German language and are an essential element of its development.

Authors: Evgeniia S. Alekseenko

Direction: Linguistics

Keywords: borrowings, purism, German language

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