8.Internationalisms

Borrowings or loans are seldom limited to one language. «Words of identical origin that occur in several languages as a result of simultaneous or successive borrowings from one ultimate source are called INTERNATIONAL WORDS». (I. V. Arnold).

Such words usually convey notions which are significant in the field of communication. Most of them are of Latin and Greek origin.

Most scientists have international names; e.g. physics, chemistry, biology, linguistics, etc.

Modern means of communication expand global contacts which result in the considerable growth of international vocabulary.

International words play a very prominent part in various spheres of terminology, such as vocabulary of science, art, industry, etc. The great number of Italian words, connected with architecture, painting and music were borrowed into all the European languages and became international: arioso, baritone, allegro, concert, opera, etc.

Examples of new or comparatively new words due to the progress of science illustrate the importance of international vocabulary: bionics, genetic code, site, database, etc.

The international word-stock has also grown due to the influx of exotic borrowed words like bungalow, pundit, sari, kraal, etc.

The English language has also contributed a considerable number of international words to all the world languages. Among them the sports terms: football, hockey, rugby, tennis, golf, etc.

International words should not be mixed with words of the com¬mon Indo-European stock that also comprise a sort of common fund of the European languages. Thus, one should not make a false conclusion that the English 'son', the German 'Sohn' and the Russian 'сын' are international words due to their outward similarity. They represent the Indo-European element in each of the three languages and they are COGNATES, i.e. words of the same etymological root and not borrowings.

9.Obsolescence: archaic words and historisms

Obsolescence.

Obsolescence is the state of being which occurs when an object, service, or practice is no longer wanted even though it may still be in good working order. Obsolescence frequently occurs because a replacement has become available that has, in sum, more advantages than the inconvenience related to repurchasing the replacement. Obsolete refers to something that is already disused or discarded, or antiquated.[1] Typically, obsolescence is preceded by a gradual decline in popularity.

Archaisms are the language units that were current at one time but have passed out of use. It can be word, phrase or the use of spelling, letter or syntax. They are substituted by synonyms: # betwixt - between; hapless - unlikely. Some of them remain in a language but are used as stylistic devices to express solemnity. Used in poetry, law, etc.

Types: - literary (seek to awoke the style of older speech and writing);

- lexical (the use of words no longer in common use).

Archaisms are frequently misunderstood, leading to changes in usage. One example is the use of the archaic familiar second person singular pronoun "thou" to refer to God in English Christianity. Although originally a familiar pronoun, it has been misinterpreted as a respectful one by many modern Christians.

Used by lawyers in written form: # heretofore, hereunto, thereof

Religious context - # with this ring I thee wed

Obsolete words (lexical archaism) were once common but now are rare. Obsolete term is the one which is not in an active use any more.

Lexical archaisms: horse - steed; kill - slay; sorrow - woe.

Sometimes an archaism can get a new meaning: # fair - original meaning `beautiful'.

Sometimes roots of words remain and affixes change - # beauteous.

historisms the study of linguistic change over time in language or in a particular language or language family, sometimes including the reconstruction of unattested forms of earlier stages of a language. this is the study of linguistic change in"the synchrony and diachrony.