Calques

Definition

Calques are a type of loan translation where a word or phrase from one language is translated directly into another language, preserving the original structure and meaning. This linguistic mechanism often occurs when languages come into contact and influence each other, allowing for the incorporation of foreign concepts without borrowing the actual terms.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Calques can involve single words, phrases, or even idiomatic expressions being translated directly into another language.
2. One famous example of a calque is the English phrase 'skyscraper,' which is a direct translation of the French 'gratte-ciel.'
3. Calques can help enrich a language by introducing new ideas and concepts while remaining linguistically connected to the source language.
4. This phenomenon is common in many languages, especially in cases of cultural exchange or globalization.
5. Unlike loanwords, which are adopted without change, calques maintain the original meaning but adapt it to the grammatical structure of the receiving language.

Review Questions

• How do calques differ from loanwords in terms of language influence?
  • Calques differ from loanwords primarily in how they incorporate foreign terms. While loanwords are borrowed directly from one language to another without alteration, calques involve translating the elements of a word or phrase into another language. This means that calques preserve the meaning and structure of the original expression but adapt it to fit the grammatical and syntactic rules of the target language, allowing for a more direct linguistic integration.
• Discuss the role of calques in the evolution of languages during periods of cultural exchange.
  • During periods of cultural exchange, calques play a significant role in the evolution of languages by facilitating communication and understanding between different linguistic communities. As speakers encounter new concepts or ideas from another culture, calques allow them to express these ideas in their own language without simply adopting foreign terms. This process not only enriches the lexicon of the receiving language but also reflects deeper societal changes, as languages adapt to incorporate new influences while maintaining their unique identities.
• Evaluate how calques can impact a language's identity and its speakers' perception of foreign cultures.
  • Calques can significantly impact a language's identity by highlighting its responsiveness to external influences while still reinforcing its unique characteristics. By translating foreign concepts into familiar linguistic structures, calques create a bridge between cultures that fosters understanding and dialogue. This adaptability may lead speakers to view foreign cultures more positively, as they recognize and integrate elements from those cultures into their own. However, excessive reliance on calques could also blur linguistic boundaries, potentially leading to concerns about cultural dilution and loss of heritage.

Related terms

Loanword: A word borrowed from one language and used in another without translation.

Semantic Shift: A change in the meaning of a word over time, often influenced by cultural or contextual factors.

Neologism: A newly coined word or expression that may not yet be widely accepted or recognized.