When Languages “Steal” Words

Conversation - B2-C1 | Advance Level

Oct. 11 Sat , 14:00 USA

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Description

In this class, we’ll explore linguistic borrowing — how and why languages adopt foreign words and make them part of their vocabulary. You’ll see many familiar examples (e.g. café, robot, kung fu), discuss the social motivations behind borrowing, and examine how borrowed words change over time. You’ll practice new vocabulary about language science, share examples from your own languages, and debate whether “borrowing” is a sign of richness or “language loss.”

You will:

Understand the concept of loanwords / linguistic borrowing

Learn vocabulary related to language change, adaptation, contact

Share examples of borrowed words in your language(s)

Analyze social and cultural reasons for borrowing

Debate the pros and cons of borrowing and language purity

Session Activities

Question 1: Do you know any foreign words in your everyday speech? Which ones?

Question 2: Why do you think one language would “borrow” a word instead of making its own?

Question 3: Have you seen a word from English used in your language that doesn’t change?

Question 4: Can you think of times when you mispronounce a borrowed word? Why?

When Languages “Steal” Words

Conversation - B2-C1 | Advance Level

$

Description

Session Activities

Question 1: Do you know any foreign words in your everyday speech? Which ones?

Question 2: Why do you think one language would “borrow” a word instead of making its own?

Question 3: Have you seen a word from English used in your language that doesn’t change?

Question 4: Can you think of times when you mispronounce a borrowed word? Why?

Question 5: Do you prefer original/native words or borrowed words? Why?

Question 1: What are some reasons a language would borrow words from another (trade, prestige, necessity)?

Question 2: Have you noticed in your language how some borrowed words change spelling or pronunciation? Give examples.

Question 3: Do loanwords make a language stronger or weaker? Explain your view.

Question 4: Should languages try to “purify” themselves by avoiding borrowed words? Why or why not?

Question 5: Do you think of borrowed words as “stealing” or “sharing”? What’s the difference?

Question 6: How can borrowing lead to language change over many generations?

Question 7: Are there borrowed words in your mother tongue that everyone uses without thinking? List some.

Question 8: If you were to borrow a word from another language today, which would you pick and why?

1. Q&A

Get ready for an engaging 10 minutes where you'll receive valuable feedback from your tutor regarding vocabulary, pronunciation and grammar mistakes

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