calque 🔊
Meaning of calque
A calque, or loan translation, is a word or phrase borrowed from another language by literal, word-for-word translation.
Key Difference
Unlike direct borrowings, calques involve translating the components of the original term rather than adopting the foreign word itself.
Example of calque
- The English term 'flea market' is a calque from the French 'marché aux puces'.
- The German term 'Wolkenkratzer' (skyscraper) is a calque of the English word.
Synonyms
loan translation 🔊
Meaning of loan translation
A direct translation of a foreign word or phrase into the native language.
Key Difference
While 'calque' is a linguistic term, 'loan translation' is more descriptive and less technical.
Example of loan translation
- The term 'brainwashing' is a loan translation from the Chinese 'xǐ nǎo'.
- The phrase 'it goes without saying' is a loan translation from French 'ça va sans dire'.
literal translation 🔊
Meaning of literal translation
Translating each word individually without considering idiomatic expressions.
Key Difference
A 'literal translation' may not always result in a commonly accepted term like a calque does.
Example of literal translation
- Translating 'carpe diem' literally from Latin gives 'pluck the day'.
- The Spanish 'rascacielos' is a literal translation of 'skyscraper'.
borrowed term 🔊
Meaning of borrowed term
A word or phrase taken from another language with or without translation.
Key Difference
A borrowed term can be either a direct loanword or a calque, whereas a calque strictly involves translation.
Example of borrowed term
- The word 'kindergarten' is a borrowed term from German.
- The English 'déjà vu' is directly borrowed from French.
translation borrowing 🔊
Meaning of translation borrowing
Adopting a foreign expression by translating its components.
Key Difference
This is essentially synonymous with 'calque,' but less commonly used in linguistics.
Example of translation borrowing
- The English 'blueprint' is a translation borrowing from the German 'Blaupause'.
- The term 'hamburger' (from 'Hamburg' + '-er') is a translation borrowing.
semantic loan 🔊
Meaning of semantic loan
Borrowing the meaning of a foreign word while keeping the native form.
Key Difference
A semantic loan extends the meaning of an existing word, whereas a calque creates a new term.
Example of semantic loan
- The English word 'dream' expanded its meaning under the influence of Old Norse 'draumr'.
- The Japanese 'コンピュータ' (konpyūta) is a semantic loan from English 'computer'.
hybrid calque 🔊
Meaning of hybrid calque
A calque where part of the term is translated and part is borrowed directly.
Key Difference
A hybrid calque mixes translation and borrowing, unlike a pure calque.
Example of hybrid calque
- The English 'grapefruit' is a hybrid calque (Dutch 'pompelmoes' + English 'fruit').
- The term 'television' combines Greek 'tele-' (far) and Latin 'vision' (seeing).
phono-semantic matching 🔊
Meaning of phono-semantic matching
A loanword adapted to sound like a native word while retaining meaning.
Key Difference
Unlike a calque, this involves phonetic resemblance rather than direct translation.
Example of phono-semantic matching
- The Mandarin word '可口可乐' (kěkǒukělè) mimics the sound of 'Coca-Cola' while meaning 'tasty fun'.
- The Hebrew 'דַּלֶּקֶת' (daléket) for 'inflammation' resembles the sound of the German 'Dolch' (dagger).
lexical borrowing 🔊
Meaning of lexical borrowing
Adopting words from another language, whether translated or not.
Key Difference
Lexical borrowing is a broader category that includes calques, loanwords, and other adaptations.
Example of lexical borrowing
- The English 'algebra' is a lexical borrowing from Arabic.
- The word 'tsunami' is a lexical borrowing from Japanese.
neologism 🔊
Meaning of neologism
A newly coined word or expression.
Key Difference
A calque is a specific type of neologism that involves translation, whereas neologisms can be entirely original.
Example of neologism
- The word 'selfie' is a modern neologism unrelated to borrowing.
- The term 'cyberspace' was coined as a neologism without direct foreign influence.
Conclusion
- A calque is a fascinating linguistic phenomenon where a phrase is borrowed through translation rather than direct adoption.
- Loan translation is a straightforward alternative to 'calque,' often used in non-technical contexts.
- Literal translations may not always become established terms like calques do.
- Borrowed terms can be either direct or translated, making them a broader category than calques.
- Translation borrowing is essentially the same as a calque but less commonly used in academic discussions.
- Semantic loans modify existing words rather than creating new ones, unlike calques.
- Hybrid calques mix translation and borrowing, offering a middle ground between pure calques and loanwords.
- Phono-semantic matching focuses on sound resemblance, whereas calques focus on meaning.
- Lexical borrowing is an umbrella term that includes calques but also other forms of linguistic adoption.
- Neologisms can be independent creations, while calques are always derived from another language.