lexicology / 30-31
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Langlauf- cross-country running or racing on skis
schadenfreude - enjoyment attained from the troubles of others, wisenheimer - obnoxiously self-assertive person wanderlust - a very strong or irresistible impulse to travel wunderkind a prodigy child
g) Italian borrowings
Cultural and commercial relations between England and Italy in the
epoch of the Renaissance, especially in the 16 century, brought in many Italian words. The English travelled frequently to Italy, observed Italian life and culture and brought back not only Italian manners and styles of dress, but Italian words.
e.g. balcony, bust, cornice, colonnade, niche, cameo, granite, stanza, stucco, studio, volcano
In the 11^ century many Italians words pertaining to fashion and high way style were borrowed by English, many of them through French.
e.g. balloon, gazette, intrigue
Some geological terms are of Italian origin.
e.g. bronza, granite, lava, volcano
Political and diplomatic terms.
e.g. bulletin, manifesto
In the 18* century Italian music was introduced into England and with this came many musical terms. Here we find names of various musical instruments.
e.g. basso, cello (violoncello), contrabass, harmonica, harpsichord, mandolin/mandoline, oboe, trombone, timpani, tuba, trombone, violin
Here we also find names for different voices.
e.g. baritone, basso, basso profundo, contralto, falsetto, mezzo-soprano,
The names of various musical pieces, e.g. oratorio, recitative, rondo, pastorale, sonata, toccata. Among Italian borrowings there are many art terms which have acquired international currency.
e.g. arch, caricature, colonnade, palette, portico, studio
As for business terms some of them were also borrowed from Italian.
e.g. bank, bankrupt, lombard, traffic
Many Italian military words have been borrowed through French.
e.g. battalion, brigade, cartridge, cavalry, infantry, pistol
There are some words of everyday use which arc also of Italian origin.
e.g. soda, umbrella
In the 19th century in English came some words which reflected the political struggle in Italy.
e.g. carbonari, comorra
Most of Italian borrowings are not assimilated in English and keep their Italian form and meaning.
e.g. casino, doge, condotiere, piazza
this is especially true about words referring to music. Many of them have preserved the original plural form of the noun.
e.g. divertimento - divertimenti/divertimentos, intermezzo - intermezzi/intermezzos, libretto - libretti/librettos, maestro - maestri/maestros
There are numerous barbarisms mostly referring to directions in musical performance.
e.g. da capo (from the beginning), mezza voce (with medium or half volume), mezzo forte (moderately loud), mezzo piano (moderately soft), non tropo (in moderation), presto (at a rapid tempo)
We find non-assimilated Italian loans in every day use.
e.g. salto mortale (a deadly jump)
dolce stil nuovo (sweet new style)
tutti-frutti (a confection or ice-cream containing candied fruits)
Eppur si muove. (And yet it does move, attributed to Gallileo)
h) Borrowings from Other languages
The English vocabulary borrowed words from almost all the languages of the word.
Spanish: embargo, bravado, hammock, hurricane
Portuguese: banana, verandah, cobra, auto-da-f
Dutch: reef, deck, skipper, yacht
Arabic: algebra, albatross, elixir
Indian: bungalow, jungle, shampoo
Chinese: tea, bonze, kaolin
Japanese: geisha, kimono, mikado, samurai, bushido
3.7. Etymological Doublets
Etymological doublets are two or more words of the same language which were derived from the same basic word. They differ in form, meaning and current usage.
Thus, the Latin word 'discus* was borrowed in the Old English period to form the Modern English word 'dish'. It was thoroughly assimilated