language borrowing

[/ˈlæŋɡwɪdʒ ˈbɑːroʊɪŋ/]
nounpl: language borrowings
empréstimo linguístico
1. The process by which a word, phrase, or linguistic element from one language is adopted and used in another language, often with little or no modification
The word 'pizza' is an example of language borrowing from Italian into English.
A palavra 'pizza' é um exemplo de empréstimo linguístico do italiano para o inglês.
2. The adopted word or linguistic feature itself that has been taken from another language
Many language borrowings in English come from French due to historical contact.
Muitos empréstimos linguísticos do inglês vêm do francês devido ao contato histórico.
3. A linguistic phenomenon resulting from contact between languages, typically occurring in multilingual communities or after cultural influence
Language borrowing is a natural consequence of globalization and cultural exchange.
O empréstimo linguístico é uma consequência natural da globalização e da troca cultural.
Language borrowing is particularly significant in Brazil due to the influence of English in technology, business, and popular culture. Words like 'computador', 'mouse', 'software', and 'download' are widely used. Portuguese language academies often debate whether borrowing should be controlled, while everyday Brazilian Portuguese speakers readily adopt foreign terms, especially English ones. This phenomenon reflects Brazil's multicultural society and global interconnectedness.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
lexical borrowingloanword adoptionlinguistic borrowingword borrowingborrowed word
Antonyms / Antônimos
neologismnative word formationindigenous terminology

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
empréstimo linguístico
Standard term used in linguistics and language studies
Rio de Janeiro
empréstimo linguístico
Used in academic and educational contexts
São Paulo
empréstimo linguístico
Common in university linguistics departments and media criticism
Portugal
empréstimo linguístico
Used identically; also 'palavra emprestada' (borrowed word) in casual speech

Related Words

loanwordcode-switchingcalquelinguistic contactmultilingualismlexiconetymologysemantic change

Related Idioms & Phrases

borrowed from another language
linguistic import
cross-linguistic influence
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