The modern dictionary of the Russian language has a long path of formation. And no matter how painful it may be perceived, the “great and mighty” consists of a considerable number of words borrowed from other languages. Some were adopted back in antiquity, others came recently. All this is the result of a constant natural process of interaction between different cultures. Can a language do without borrowing? The discussions arising on this issue are trying to give a definite answer.
The term "borrowing"
There is no nation in the world whose language would be completely free from the influence of foreign words, otherwise it would have to be isolated. Due to the long political, economic, military, cultural relations between the countries, the Russian language is regularly updated with new words of non-Slavic origin.
You can meet foreign words everywhere: in sports, business, politics, science. They firmly entered everyday life and most of them have no analogues in their native language. Examples of borrowed words from other languages: office, rating, image, provider, Internet, charisma, speaker. And here are the more ancient words of non-Russian origin: pencil, bathhouse, school, lamp, soldier. They have taken root so much that the carriers do not even know about their true roots.
Borrowing refers to the assimilation, copying, transfer of a word from one language to another. This is a long process, the result of which will be the consolidation of a foreign language token in the speech of the carrier.
Relevance of the topic
Modern man can hardly do without borrowed words. The language continues to be actively replenished by them, changing its vocabulary. For some, this trend is alarming, but someone does not see anything wrong with that. Public figures, politicians, scientists, ordinary people do not stop discussing and discussing this topic.
Interestingly, linguists are neutral in this controversy. They are more concerned about the ignorant use of foreign words than their introduction. They believe that the language itself, sooner or later, will reject the extra words. Its mechanism of self-regulation acts on the principle of the immune system and will put everything in its place over time.
Increasingly, the question arises of excessive borrowing. Some native speakers rate this extremely negatively. As early as the beginning of the 20th century, linguist Alexander Peshkovsky once remarked that such conservatism that we encounter in relation to language is nowhere to be seen. And on the one hand, it’s even good, such a reaction helps to keep the defense from excessive excess. On the other hand, as was noted, a negative attitude to borrowed words is characteristic of older people who tend to turn back and see negative in modern times.
In all periods of the development of the Russian language, it was believed that it degrades and loses itself. Meanwhile, he developed, enriched, and adapted to changing realities. Today the same picture, as many years ago, all these processes occur under the inevitable indignation and murmur of the carriers.
A bit of history
Some words were learned in such a distant past that their origin can only be detected using etymological analysis. Philologists distinguish several historical stages that have influenced the Russian language.
- The adoption of Christianity. At this moment, the influence of the Greek language takes place, and words appear in the vocabulary: bench, tower, icon, monastery, gospel. Names such as Alexander, Nikolai, Catherine, Larisa also have non-Slavic origin.
- The next period is the influence of the Turkic peoples, the Tatar-Mongol yoke. In everyday life come: a hero, a cart, pearls, a tent, a team.
- Stage of influence of the Polish language, XVI-XVII centuries. Borrowed words from this language are also called polonisms. Lad, homeland, scoundrel, allow, bully, lieutenant. A particle of “supposedly”, unions “if”, “so what” come to the Russian language.
- The influence of Dutch and German. The flow of this foreign language is related to the reign of Peter I, through which there was a significant contribution to the Russian language, among other things. Previously unknown concepts appear in technology, science, maritime industry, military definitions, craft, names of household items. Words: rent, general, globe, algebra, optics, navy, sailor, harbor and others. This period explains well why a language cannot do without borrowing words from another language. Because the thing or phenomenon is new, respectively, in the native language there is no suitable word.
- 19th century French influence. They came to our language: coats, boots, stained glass, wardrobe, compliment, favorite, mayonnaise.
- XX century and to this day. There is a huge influence of English on Russian vocabulary. It is one of the most widely spoken languages ​​in the world.
In all likelihood, as history shows, it is unlikely that a language can do without borrowing. According to the established relations, not a single language system can exist in isolation.
Why is this happening
Factors that play a significant role in the entry of foreign words:
- historical relationship between states;
- the need to define new concepts;
- discoveries and achievements of a certain nation in any field;
- accessibility of tourism;
- World Wide Web
- the popularity of the word.
Reasons of a linguistic nature. They include:
- the absence of an identical word in the language;
- saving of language resources when they try to use one word instead of a phrase (sprint - a short distance, or reception - a hall for registration, reception and registration in hotels, companies);
- need for detail (piloting, local).
Entrance windows and doors
The channels through which foreign words enter the Russian language can be oral and written. First of all, this is professional, scientific and technical terminology. Words previously used by a small circle of people through mass media come into widespread use. For example, marketing or devaluation. In such cases, can the Russian language do without borrowing? Unlikely.
A significant role is played by public appearances of famous people, politicians. Translations of fiction and journalistic works. As well as films, music, television.
The movement of a word from language to language can be not only direct, but also indirect. For example, the word "store", Arabic in origin (meaning "warehouse, assemble"), first came to French, and then through it got into Russian and other languages.
Word mastering phases
The process of borrowing a word occurs in several stages. Sometimes it can be very fast, or it can drag on for a long time.
The first stage is when a foreign language word is used in its original form, without any changes. Then the word is adapted to the language system and obeys transliteration - given the pronunciation of the word, it is written down by means of the national alphabet. At the third stage, the word loses its foreignness and is actively used along with the native words of the language. The last step in learning when a word goes into general speech circulation and gets registered in the explanatory dictionary of the Russian language.
Borrowed words, having gone through all stages of implementation and received an “adoption”, are different from foreign words, which have not changed, retaining the status of a stranger.
Signs of loan words
Foreign words falling into the Russian language, as they adapt, may lose their original appearance. But there are some features by which they can be calculated.
- The letter "a" at the beginning of the word.
- The presence of the letter "f".
- At the root of the word is the letter "e."
- At the root of the word is a combination of vowels.
- At the root of the word is a combination of consonants - “GB”, “kg”, “cd”, “cz”.
- At the root of the word are “ge,” “ke,” “he,” “bu,” “vu,” “ky,” “mu.”
- Unstoppable words.
Effect on the language
As a result of the above, it can be concluded that it is impossible for a language to do without borrowed words.
Can an alien vocabulary somehow infringe or become a threat to native speech? The noise of the public on this issue rises a lot, although not so many works have been devoted to the study of this issue.
The point of view of many researchers on this subject is ambiguous, but some recognize that through borrowing words the language is significantly enriched, replenished and expanded. Experts say that post-Soviet Russia can be compared with the reign of Peter by its openness to foreign languages.
The increased infusion of an alien logo is not as critical as it might seem. Borrowings both fill up the language and leave it. It is enough to compare the dictionaries of foreign words of different periods. Some foreign words replace others, something takes root, and something leaves: slang “pushes aside” jargon, and image increasingly replaces the image.
Can a language do without borrowing
Arguments against this claim are put forward by history itself. The rich vocabulary of today's Russian language has evolved over the centuries. Words coming from outside, at certain events and phenomena, were inevitable in their use. And even if the native language had an analogue, the new word brought a new connotation or could provide clarification in one or another sphere, the ability to more concretize.
Now they are trying to introduce restrictions on the use of foreign words at the legislative level. But any interference in the language processes will lead to nothing, according to Professor Anatoly Baranov, Doctor of Philology.
At one time, they also actively opposed I.S. Aksakov (publicist, leader of the Slavic movement) and N.S. Leskov (writer). They proposed the establishment of appropriate fines and supervision, but “evacuation” and “extradition” today “feel good” in Russian.
Denoting the realities of a rapidly changing world, it is unlikely that language can do without borrowing. This is all its uniqueness. As long as the interpenetration of cultures and the progress of mankind continue, this process cannot be stopped.