However, if you're interested in how the English language has adopted words from other languages, we can explore some examples:
Loanwords: These are words adopted directly from another language, often with minimal changes to their pronunciation or spelling. Some examples include:
* Sushi (Japanese)
* Pizza (Italian)
* Kindergarten (German)
* Banzai (Japanese)
Calques: These are words or phrases that are borrowed from another language but translated literally into English. Examples include:
* "It goes without saying" (French "ça va sans dire")
* "A leap of faith" (German "ein Sprung ins Blaue")
* "Last but not least" (German "zu guter Letzt")
English words with foreign origins: Many English words have origins in other languages, but have become so integrated into the English language that they are no longer seen as foreign. Some examples include:
* Alcohol (Arabic)
* Algebra (Arabic)
* Banana (Wolof)
* Chocolate (Nahuatl)
* Coffee (Turkish)
It's important to note that the English language is constantly evolving and borrowing words from other languages. This process of language contact is a natural phenomenon, and the adoption of words from other languages can enrich and expand the vocabulary of any language.
While "passive assimilation" may not be a standard linguistic term, it highlights the way languages borrow and adapt words from other languages, enriching their own vocabularies.