Image by Clker-Free-Vector-Images from Pixabay

I had actually never heard of the term loanword, although it certainly makes sense.

A loanword is a word taken from one language and then integrated into another. Usually, there’s no translation; the word means and looks the same, but in a different language. During the integration process, the pronunciation and grammar might change to fit the new language. There are thousands of loanwords in English. Of course, other languages use loanwords as well.

Loanwords often fill gaps in English vocabulary, meaning there  wasn’t a way to express something in English.  Loanwords have enriched the language by filling these gaps.

For example, the word “robot” comes from Czech. Until this word entered English, there was no way to describe machines that can help with tasks.

Here is the usual process of integrating loadwords into the language:

When cultures speaking different languages mix, they borrow each other’s words. This is the starting point of the loanword process.  People borrow words from the other languages they come into contact with.

 For a word from another language to integrate into English, it needs to fit English’s pronunciation and structural features. Therefore, the pronunciation and grammar may change over time. For example, the pronunciation of many French loanwords has changed to be easier for English speakers to say.

People start to use the borrowed words more.  Over years of use, these words become so common that English speakers often have no idea they even come from a different language.

Here are just some examples of the many loadwords in the English language:

 

From LatinAgenda: a list of items to be discussed at a meetingAnatomy: the structure of living organismsCensus: official population countData: facts, numbers, and statistics used for analysisExcavate: to dig out or uncoverFormula: a fixed method or ruleMeditate: to focus or reflect deeplyPeninsula: land surrounded by water on three sidesStatus quo: the existing state of affairsVice versa: the other way around

Notice that the last two still sound Latin, but the others do not.

From Greek (many scientific and words related to study)Democracy: a government system by the people of the countryDialogue: a conversation between two or more peopleEthics: moral principles that govern behaviorHero: a person admired for courage or noble qualitiesHyperbole: a figure of speech that exaggerates for effectIdiom: a phrase with a meaning not deducible from the words themselvesLogic: reasoning conducted according to principlesMathematics: the abstract science of number, quantity, and spacePoetry: literary work expressing feelings and ideas with styleTheater: a place for dramatic performancesFrom French (many foods)Baguette: a long, thin, crusty loaf of breadCabernet: a type of red wineCafé: a coffee shopChaise longue: a long reclining chairChampagne: a sparkling wine from the Champagne regionChic: stylish or fashionableDéjà vu: the feeling that you’ve already experienced somethingElite: a group of people considered superior in statusEntrepreneur: someone who starts and runs a businessFaux pas: a social blunder or mistakeGenre: a category of artistic workHors d’oeuvre: a small appetizerLiaison: communication or cooperation between groupsRendezvous: a meeting at an agreed time and placeSouvenir: a keepsake or memento from a place or eventTouché: acknowledgment of a clever point in a discussionFrom Italian (many foods and art-related words)Balcony: a platform enclosed by a wall or railing on the outside of a buildingCappuccino: a coffee drink made with espresso and steamed milk foamCasino: a place for gambling and entertainmentCupola: a small dome on top of a buildingDuo: a pair of performersEspresso: strong black coffee made by forcing steam through ground coffeeFresco: a painting done rapidly on wet plasterGraffiti: writings or drawings scribbled on walls or surfacesIncognito: in disguise or with one’s identity concealedLatte: a coffee made with espresso and steamed milkMafia: an organized crime syndicateMotto: a short phrase expressing a principle or idealOpera: a dramatic performance combining text and musical scorePaparazzi: photographers who follow celebritiesPiano: a large keyboard musical instrumentSoprano: the highest singing voice in classical musicSpaghetti: a type of long, thin pastaTempo: the speed or pace of a piece of musicUmbrella: a device used for protection against rainViolin: a small, high-pitched string instrumentFrom ArabicAlcohol: the ingredient found in wine, beer, and liquorAlgebra: a type of mathematicsAlgorithm: a set of rules to follow, especially in math or computingCoffee: a drink made from roasted coffee beansGenie: a spirit that can grant wishesGhoul: an evil spirit or creature that eats the deadGiraffe: a tall animal with a very long neckJasmine: a fragrant white flowerMattress: a soft pad placed on top of a bedMonsoon: a seasonal wind that brings heavy rainSaffron: a red-yellow spiceSofa: a piece of furnitureSyrup: a thick, sweet liquidTahini: a paste made from sesame seedsZero: the number 0From GermanAngst: a feeling of deep anxiety or dreadBlitz: a sudden, intense attack or effortBratwurst: a type of German sausageDoppelgänger: a look-alike or double of a living personKindergarten: a preschool for young childrenKitsch: art or design considered tacky or in poor tasteLager: a type of beerNoodle: a type of pastaPoltergeist: a noisy, mischievous ghostPoodle: a breed of dog with curly furPretzel: a type of bread or snackSauerkraut: fermented cabbageSchadenfreude: pleasure derived from another person’s misfortuneSchnitzel: a thin slice of meat, breaded and friedStrudel: a layered pastry with fruit or sweet fillingWaltz: a ballroom dance in triple timeZeitgeist: the spirit or mood of a particular period in history

 

From SpanishAdobe: sun-dried brick made of clay and strawAlligator: a large reptile similar to a crocodileAlpaca: an animal similar to a llamaBronco: an untrained or wild horseBurrito: a rolled tortilla filled with various ingredientsEmbargo: an official ban on trade or other commercial activityFiesta: a festive celebration or partyGuerrilla: a member of a small group engaged in irregular fightingGuitar: a stringed musical instrumentMarijuana: a drug from the cannabis plantMesa: a flat-topped hill with steep sidesMosquito: a small flying insect that bitesPatio: an outdoor courtyard or paved areaPlaza: a public square or marketplaceTornado: a violent rotating column of airTortilla: a thin flatbread made from corn or wheatFrom JapaneseAnime: Japanese animationBonsai: the art of growing miniature treesFuton: a thin mattress used on the floor or a foldable bedHaiku: a short form of Japanese poetry with a 5-7-5 syllable structureJudo: a Japanese martial art focused on throws and grapplingKaraoke: singing along to recorded music using a microphone and lyricsKimono: a traditional Japanese long robe with wide sleevesManga: Japanese comic books or graphic novelsOrigami: the art of paper foldingRickshaw: a small two-wheeled passenger cart pulled by one personSamurai: a member of the Japanese warrior classSashimi: thinly sliced raw fish or seafoodSensei: a teacher or master, especially in martial artsSushi: filled food containing rice, seafood, and vegetablesTsunami: a large, powerful ocean waveLoanwords from ChineseFrom Chinese Bok choy: a type of cabbageDim sum: small dishes typically served with teaGinseng: a root used in traditional Chinese medicineGung ho: extremely enthusiastic or dedicatedKetchup: a tomato-based condimentKung fu: a general term for Chinese martial artsLychee: a small tropical fruit with sweet white flesh and a rough red skinMahjong: a tile-based gameTea: a beverage made from steeped tea leavesWok: a round-bottomed cooking panYin yang: a symbol of two complementary partsFrom other languagesAnchovy (from Portuguese): a small fishBoondocks (from Tagalog): remote, rural areasChocolate (from Nahuatl): a sweet food made from roasted cacaoCurry (from Tamil): a type of spiced stew; a spice blendKangaroo (from Aboriginal Australian): a marsupialKayak (from Inuktitut): a canoeLandscape (from Dutch): a view of land; a type of paintingPastrami (from Yiddish): a cured meatReindeer (from Norwegian): a large deerRobot (from Czech): a machine that can carry out tasks automaticallyTundra (from Sámi): a flat, treeless Arctic regionYogurt (from Turkish): a fermented milk productThank you to the following  websites for the information: 

BUSUU

Quillbot