Neologism

A neologism is a lexical sign, which arises in a given period in a speech community and is spreading, especially a new word or a new meaning used already existing word. Finally, take it to the dictionaries that codify the vocabulary of the language. It is characteristic of the neologisms that the speakers they have for some time as new. What lexical signs are (still) neologisms, that also depends on the time at which one looks at or examines the vocabulary of a language. In addition to the neologisms included in standard general language dictionaries are available for many languages ​​and specialized dictionaries, only deal with the this part of the vocabulary.

The term neologism is taken, borrowed a Latin ending, the Greek νεολογισμός neologismos of νέος neos 'new' and λόγος logos 'word'; also Neuwort, new word.

On the problem of the term

The use of the term neologism is not entirely uniform in linguistics. Bussmann defines it as " newly introduced or novel linguistic expression used ". Such words come about through word formation, borrowing or transfer of meaning. Only for the Neurolinguistics an understanding of the term in the sense of re-creation or original creation is given. Happiness is a neologism, although with re-creation of the same and refers to the word " neologism " on neologism; but the examples given are only cases of word formation, borrowing or transfer of meaning. The linguistic tradition since the late 19th century at the latest, however, differs between " neologism / primal creation " on the one hand and " word formation " on the other.

Demarcation

Speakers living languages ​​produce or invent new words every day, with which they close spontaneously arising naming gaps. Most of these words are used but only one time. Their purpose is usually met with a naming situation. This opportunity formations ( Okkasionalismen ) are not considered to be neologisms, acquired lexicographically. In English, allowing the formation of complex compound words, do such instantaneous creations daily. Occasionally revives subsequent use for a long time unused words again, which are no longer recorded lexicographically ( archaisms ), even they are not neologisms.

Words that are borrowed from another language ( for example free download from the original version) and pass in the common parlance, are often seen as neologisms, and a corresponding lexicographically; in the strict sense but they are not new creations, so no neologisms.

The lexis of a living language is a complex structure of general language, specialist language and linguistic group words. General language dictionaries cover only the core area of ​​lexis, the uses everyday language. It occasionally happens that words already long used a jargon penetrate into everyday language. This applies for example to the technical language of technical key areas such as information technology and telecommunications. These words are not regarded as neologisms, as they are in the respective technical language for some time in use. A particularly productive area is the language group of young people. Many of the neologisms formed there, however, are short-lived.

In the practice of lexicography, the distinction between on the one hand and neologisms Okkasionalismen, revived archaisms and technical terms on the other hand quite difficult. Especially text corpora that document the current parlance, render useful services in the collection and description of neologisms.

Psychiatry measures neologisms in the collection of the psycho- pathological condition associated with diseases such as schizophrenia more specific meaning than to the linguistic understanding.

Types of neologisms

The following types of neologisms can be distinguished:

Expression and significance are new. An example from the recent past is the verb of SMS texting for sending text messages.

An old expression only receives a new ( more ) important. So stands as a somewhat older example mouse for a "technical device, part of computer peripherals ."

An expression with initially positive connotation is given a new, pejorative meaning and is used as a political and ideological battle cry against various linguistic conventions and behavior use. Examples are gooder or Political Correctness.

Here the contraction of common words ( internet cafe, laptop bag, also known as retronym: analog clock ) must be distinguished from metaphorical neoplasms. In the latter decides not the actual meaning, but a characteristic property for use. Examples include fashion guru, literature Pope, stock Dwarf Wirtschaftsauguren or Erzeinwohner.

Neologisms and linguistic norm

When a new word comes into use, speakers often have standard uncertainties.

• The debate was secured only in daily use. Especially in loanwords often occurs, but not always, an adjustment process a, in which the pronunciation is adapted to the phonemic system of the borrowing language. An example is download that from ... loʊd / to / ... lo ː t / developing /
• The flexion may be adapted or original. Does it mean the piercing or piercings? It says in the plural the PC or the PC?
• The genus is often ambiguous. Does it mean the blog or the blog?
• The spelling is unknown. Writes one spinoff, spin-off or spin-off? .

Often, a standard must establish only. This is the case for the genus of loanwords from English, where the gender system is weak. Speakers who use a Neuwort, sometimes signal that they do not accept the appropriate word as part of the language standard. Often this means used are quotes or delimiting expressions: "The ' break-even ' had not been achieved ", " the so-called break-even " or " as they say nowadays, the break-even ".

The pragmatic value of neologisms

Not always the main function of a neologism is to describe a new state of affairs. With the use of neologisms one often wants to clarify something: belonging to a particular group, modernity or just attract attention (example: "slowing down " instead of " slowing down "). This pragmatic functions are the reason that especially the language of advertising used neologisms. The signal function of new words is as far from exhausted, that violates grammatical rules ( indestructible, here you will be helped ).

Neologisms also have cultural value. By neologisms thought and Neuassoziationen can be promoted. Contemporary art direction expressive neologism ( briefly referred to as NEOLOG ) addresses critical nature of language as a mass medium and influencing instrument.

Neologisms also be used as replace labels when the signified another vote or another reputation to be given. Example of such a language policy is the German Bahn AG: from Schaffner is guard, the switch to the Service Point, and more recently to counter).

At the same time often sparked by neologisms as a symptom of a language of critical discourse. Conservative Voice Critics of neologisms, and especially to loan words, one of them alleged decline of the language determined. On the other hand, is also assigned to the neologisms, the mutability of language and its ability, which is the ever-changing naming requirements.

Neologisms are also a common instrument of propaganda. An example of this in 1942 for the first time used to denote lawless fighters ( unlawful combatant ) to introduce a classification of prisoners of war, bypassing international law. Other examples are the international Jewish financiers, Islamo- fascism, socially handicapped young migrants.

Origin of new words

A source of neologisms is the borrowing from other languages. A language system is, however, a number of other resources for Neuwortbildung ready.

The composition of new words from existing is in German the most productive word formation process and, accordingly, an abundant source of neologisms ( Dosenpfand, GM maize ).

The derivation by means of affixes ( prefixes or suffixes in particular ) is also a rich source. It affixes itself to neologisms (for example, cyber) and a larger group of new words characterize ( cyberpunk, cyber crime).

Are an important means of linguistic economy. Solidifies their use, then they can also be regarded as neologisms (SMS, Student assistant, trainee).

In the German portmanteau word, in English also called portmanteaus. These are formed from the first part of a word and the second part of the second word, example: education entertainment > edutainment. Contractions are rare in German, they are usually borrowed from other languages.

In malapropisms, new words form through conscious distortion. Example: " nerves " instead of " nervous system ", " nevertheless " instead of " nonetheless ".

Mechanisms

A typical case of an emerging word, that word is replaced by another. Often this is done for reasons of marketing or political correctness - especially as a euphemism, ie a negative word occupied ( pejorative ) to displace.

Some words are also subject to a " verbal inflation" ( wear, compare to euphemism treadmill ), and new creations or the use of extraordinary designations serve to increase the sensation value and attract attention. Examples of the publicity: technology, where technology is actually meant toothpaste instead of the usual toothpaste or exclusive spelling cigarettes.

Cause is often the case that new trends and developments - nowadays mostly from the English-speaking world - come to us (cultural dominance), and the scene or the professional audience the associated terms ( Xenismen ) without reflection also in the German context uses or makes a less successful transmission. This happens even when there is already a synonymous term, perhaps precisely in order to expel the user of the new German words as insiders by using the language scene.

The word Neudeutsch itself can serve as an example: It is a new creation in analogy to newspeak (English: Newspeak ) of the novel 1984 by George Orwell. The use of the word implies at least a critical distance of the user against neologisms and awareness of the "power of language " is as an educated and thoughtful, value- conscious layer belonging distinguished him so.

In contrast to these are foreign words that prevail because no appropriate German term is available. They often serve initially the precise mode of expression in the art, then spread partially into the premium general knowledge until some finally arrive in everyday language and not be perceived as foreign.

Not only foreign, regional differences can about the jargon of the mass media enter into the standard German. One example is autochthonous variants that have developed differently in the years of separation Germany mid-20th century, as Goldbroiler and fried chicken.

Examples

Neologisms in social and political changes

Social changes that require political legitimacy, often led to the creation of words. Examples of this are neologisms from the time of colonialism, the development of racial theories and a so-called Africa terminology. This language was an important medium for the production and mediation of legitimacy myth that Africa is the homogeneous and inferior "other" and therefore require the " civilizing " of Europe. This approach was reflected in a colonial naming practice down, the African self- designations ignored and avoided to transfer valid terms on the African context for contemporary European societies.