COMPARATIVE STUDY OF NEOLOGISM IN ENGLISH AND FRENCH
FOR SPORT
This comparative study investigates the creation and usage of neologisms in the English and French languages within the realm of sports. Neologisms, which are newly invented words or phrases, play an essential role in mirroring cultural changes, technological progress, and globalization in the sports arena.
Keywords: Sportification, fanfluence, tie-break in tennis, terminology ,VAR (Video Assistant Referee) freestyle, motorsports.
INTRODUCTION
The research examines how neologisms come into being, develop, and are embraced in both English and French, with a focus on their morphological, semantic, and syntactic characteristics. By analyzing common word formation patterns-such as borrowing, compounding, blending, and affixation-in both languages, the study reveals the similarities and differences in linguistic innovation. It also looks at the impact of English as a global lingua franca on sports terminology and its influence on French, alongside the efforts of French language authorities to maintain linguistic integrity. Through this analysis, the study seeks to enhance the understanding of the dynamic relationship between language, culture, and sports.
MAIN PART
A neologism is a newly created word, phrase, or term that is starting to gain popularity but hasn't been fully embraced by mainstream language yet. These new terms arise from shifts in culture, technology, science, or social trends, and they often illustrate the evolving character of language.
Sports Neologisms in English
In English, new sports terms are frequently formed through various methods:
Dildora Suyun kizi Abdiyeva
Student of CSPU [email protected]
Scientific advisor: Aminova Sohila Abduhalimovna
aminovasohila@ gmail .com
ABSTRACT
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1. Borrowing: English often adopts terms from other languages, particularly French, for sports vocabulary. Examples include "rendezvous" (a meeting place) in Formula 1 and "grand prix" (which means "big prize") in motorsports.
2. Compounding: This involves merging two existing words to create new ideas, such as "goalkeeper," "track-and-field," or "freestyle" in swimming.
3. Acronyms and Abbreviations: These are widely used in sports, such as "VAR" (Video Assistant Referee) in football and "MVP" (Most Valuable Player) across various sports.
4. Brand Influence: Sports brands and media contribute to the popularization of terms, such as "nikefication," which refers to the impact of Nike on sports culture.
The development of sports vocabulary in the English language represents a dynamic phenomenon influenced by a range of linguistic strategies, such as lexical borrowing from other languages, compounding, and the formation of acronyms. Additionally, the impact of brands and media plays a significant role in enriching this specialized lexicon, thereby illustrating the intricate relationship between language and cultural practices within the realm of sports. As new trends and innovations arise, the terminology will inevitably evolve, mirroring the constantly shifting landscape of athletic competition and its global relevance. This continuous evolution not only facilitates improved communication among fans and athletes but also highlights the broader cultural implications of sports within society.
Sports Neologisms in French
The French language, which prioritizes linguistic purity particularly through the efforts of institutions like the Academie française takes different approaches to the incorporation and creation of neologisms:
1.Gallicization: Foreign sports terms, especially those from English, are modified to align with French phonetics and structure. For instance, "football" is often shortened to "le foot" in informal contexts, and "le jogging" is commonly used to refer to running.
2. Creation of New Terms: French authorities sometimes opt to invent new words rather than borrow existing ones. For example, "courriel" was developed as a substitute for the English term "email," and similar initiatives have been seen in sports, such as "jeu décisif,which replaces the English term "tie-break." French authorities occasionally choose to invent new words rather than adopt foreign ones. For instance, the term courriel was developed to substitute the English word email, and similar initiatives are evident in sports terminology. The phrase jeu décisif is used in place of the English term tie-break in tennis. Certain phrases
are translated directly from English into French. An example of
this is temps additional, which refers to added time in football.
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The development of sports terminology in the French language exemplifies not only linguistic flexibility but also the continual negotiation between the acceptance of global influences and the preservation of cultural uniqueness. As sports evolve and new trends emerge, it will be pertinent to examine how these strategies adapt and which new terms will be introduced into the French lexicon.
The Impact of Culture on the Creation of Neologisms
English: The widespread influence of English in sports media, such as ESPN and Sky Sports, along with its extensive use for global communication, has resulted in a rapid incorporation of English sports terminology. For example, words like dribble, offside, and penalty are commonly adopted into other languages, including French.
French: In France, there is a strong focus on maintaining the purity of the French language, which leads to greater resistance against English neologisms. The Commission d'enrichissement de la langue française frequently proposes French substitutes for English terms. Nevertheless, in the realm of sports, younger individuals tend to prefer English borrowings due to their international exposure, despite pushback from older generations and official bodies.
Both English and French depend significantly on sports media to promote new words. Social media, broadcasting, and commentaries present new terminology that mirrors current trends in sports. English terms often gain global traction, impacting French speakers who participate in international events such as the FIFA World Cup or the Olympics.
Challenges and Insights
English Prevalence: A significant number of new sports terminology comes from English, driven by the global spread of sports culture, especially in contemporary sports such as basketball, soccer, and e-sports.
Safeguarding the French Language: Although France actively develops new French vocabulary, the appeal and practicality of English terms often overshadow these efforts.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, a comparative analysis of sports neologisms in English and French highlights significant differences in how each language adapts. English is more inclined to innovate rapidly, often prioritizing creativity over linguistic purity, while French shows greater resistance by developing its own terms to preserve its linguistic identity. Nonetheless, the influence of globalization and the prevalence of English in the sports arena have led to the
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incorporation of many English terms into everyday French, despite their lack of official recognition.
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