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Need, i.e. when we encounter something new and need a name for it.
For example, early explorers needed names for the new things that they encountered, so they took the words of the local people. e.g. Tomahawk, tepee and Racoon are taken from Native American Indian languages. Additionally, about 2/3 of American states have names that Native Americans gave them.
Of course, many (all?) languages have words which can be traced back to sources in other countries. Many English words are from the French, which are from the Latin, which are from the Greek!
This is how language works; why invent a new word when a word for it already exists.
In fact, such words are added to, or absorbed into, the language. If they were 'borrowed' it would imply that at some time they should be given back!
An example of a foreign word that has been incorporated into the English language:
- communication<--- communicacion (Old French) <--- communicationem (Latin) <--- communicare (Latin verb meaning "to share, divide out; impart, inform; join, unite, participate in," literally meaning "to make common."
Compare:
English: communication
French: communication
Spanish: comunicación
Italian: comunicazione
German: Kommunikation
Croatian: komunikacija
It is very useful to use the same words which other people use! It makes communication so much easier!
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∙ 14y ago
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What words did the English borrow from France?
A HUGE part of the English language came from the French. Besides obvious expressions and words, such as attache, or faux pas, common words entered the language- such as beef (from boeuf) and pork (from porc).
When did the English borrow the French language?
Assuming by "borrow" adopt is meant, never. Beginning with the Norman Conquest in 1066, a Germanic-influenced form of Old French, called Norman French became the official language of England although Latin was used in law and in ecclesiastical circles. This led to the eventual emergence of Modern English, which has many French words and uses some French grammar, but it has to be remembered that English has borrowed words from many languages, and French words in English use have come into the language at different times and from different dialects. Answer The English borrowed French for a short time, but gave it back.
What language did Old English borrow merci?
Old French. But THEY borrowed it from Latin. From Greek to Latin to French to English
What language has borrowed the most words?
That would probably be Modern English, both in terms of sheer numbers and in proportion to its own core vocabulary. English adopted a great number of words and some of the grammar of Norman French after the Conquest of 1066, and continues to borrow words today from many sources. Learned terms are commonly borrowed directly from Latin and Greek, but any language may supply words when no English equivalent for them already exists.
What language has more words?
english
What language does the isiZulu borrow words from?
The Zulu language is influenced by Xhosa and English.
From what language did English borrow?
German.
Does Japanese people write in English?
If they know the language, then yes. They also "borrow" English words and on occasion write them in English instead of katakana.
What words did the English borrow from France?
A HUGE part of the English language came from the French. Besides obvious expressions and words, such as attache, or faux pas, common words entered the language- such as beef (from boeuf) and pork (from porc).
What is the most common language that you borrow from in English?
Latin
WHAT Language did English borrow bratwurst?
German is the origanal language.
Why does America borrow words from Mexico?
It is common for any language to borrow words and even phrases from other languages and countries. In the case of American English, it borrowed several words from Spanish during its "expansion to the west", including words such as adobe, mesa, conquistador, guerrilla, pronto or arroyo.
How many words words are in the English language?
There are about 228,132 words total in the English language.
When did the English borrow the French language?
Assuming by "borrow" adopt is meant, never. Beginning with the Norman Conquest in 1066, a Germanic-influenced form of Old French, called Norman French became the official language of England although Latin was used in law and in ecclesiastical circles. This led to the eventual emergence of Modern English, which has many French words and uses some French grammar, but it has to be remembered that English has borrowed words from many languages, and French words in English use have come into the language at different times and from different dialects. Answer The English borrowed French for a short time, but gave it back.
What language did Old English borrow merci?
Old French. But THEY borrowed it from Latin. From Greek to Latin to French to English
Who added words to the English language in the Middle English period?
The Normans added words to the English language during their occupation.
What language has borrowed the most words?
That would probably be Modern English, both in terms of sheer numbers and in proportion to its own core vocabulary. English adopted a great number of words and some of the grammar of Norman French after the Conquest of 1066, and continues to borrow words today from many sources. Learned terms are commonly borrowed directly from Latin and Greek, but any language may supply words when no English equivalent for them already exists.
