Examples of Word Borrowing:
Across Languages:
* English:
* Sushi (Japanese): A dish of vinegared rice topped with seafood and vegetables.
* Kindergarten (German): A preschool for young children.
* Siesta (Spanish): A midday nap.
* Pizza (Italian): A dish of flattened dough topped with tomato sauce and cheese.
* Tsunami (Japanese): A giant ocean wave.
* Spanish:
* Guacamole (Nahuatl): A dip made from avocados.
* Cacao (Nahuatl): The raw bean from which chocolate is made.
* Cowboy (English): A man who herds cattle on horseback.
* French:
* Déjà vu (French): The feeling that one has already experienced a situation.
* Faux pas (French): A social blunder.
* Rendezvous (French): A meeting or appointment.
Within English:
* Borrowing from Old English:
* "Merry" (Old English): Meaning "happy" or "joyful."
* Borrowing from Latin:
* "Curriculum" (Latin): Meaning "course of study."
* Borrowing from Greek:
* "Democracy" (Greek): Meaning "rule by the people."
Other examples:
* "Robot" (Czech): A mechanical device that performs tasks automatically.
* "Ketchup" (Amoy Chinese): A sauce made from tomatoes.
* "Yoga" (Sanskrit): A system of physical and mental exercises.
* "Shawarma" (Arabic): A Middle Eastern dish of meat cooked on a spit.
* "Taco" (Nahuatl): A Mexican dish consisting of a folded tortilla filled with various ingredients.
Factors influencing word borrowing:
* Cultural exchange: The more contact between cultures, the more likely it is that words will be borrowed.
* Political influence: Dominant languages can influence the languages of less powerful nations.
* Technological advances: New inventions and ideas often lead to the borrowing of words.
* Prestige: Words from prestigious languages can be borrowed to add sophistication or credibility.
Word borrowing is a constant process in language evolution, enriching and diversifying the vocabulary of languages worldwide.