This study examines the various semantic changes that take place in English words borrowed into Icibemba. Icibemba is a language spoken by the majority of the Zambian population. English and Icibemba are two languages from two different language families. The main objective of this study was to examine the various semantic processes involved in the process of borrowing words from English into Icibemba. Data was collected from primary and secondary sources. The data was then analyzed for semantic changes.
The discussion concludes that certain words have meanings which correspond with that of the source language and that certain words extend their meaning range whereas others narrow it. Some words extend their meaning range figuratively. Some loanwords also change their emotive value when they are taken over into Icibemba language.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Abstract
- Introduction
- Zero Semantic Change
- Semantic Broadening/Expansion
- Semantic Narrowing
- Semantic Shift
- Conclusion
- REFERENCES
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This study aims to analyze the semantic changes that occur when English words are borrowed into Icibemba, a language spoken by the majority of the Zambian population. The study examines various semantic processes involved in this borrowing process, using data collected from primary and secondary sources.
- Semantic change in English loanwords in Icibemba
- Types of semantic change, including zero semantic change, broadening, narrowing, and shift
- Examples of loanwords and their semantic adaptations
- The influence of direct loans and other borrowing mechanisms on semantic change
- The role of figurative meaning in semantic change
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Introduction: This chapter introduces the study's focus on semantic change in English loanwords borrowed into Icibemba, highlighting the importance of understanding how borrowed words adapt to their new linguistic environment.
- Zero Semantic Change: This section explores cases where borrowed words retain their original meaning from the source language. It analyzes the impact of direct loans and other borrowing mechanisms on maintaining the original meaning, providing examples of loanwords with zero semantic change.
- Semantic Broadening/Expansion: This chapter delves into the process where the meaning of a borrowed word becomes more general or inclusive than its original meaning. It discusses different ways in which the meaning of a loanword can be extended, including the acquisition of additional meaning irrespective of context and the use of figurative meaning.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This study focuses on the semantic adaptation of English loanwords in Icibemba, exploring key themes such as semantic change, loanwords, borrowing processes, meaning correspondence, meaning extension, meaning narrowing, semantic shift, direct loans, figurative meaning, and the impact of borrowing mechanisms on semantic change.
- Citar trabajo
- Kennedy Kangwa (Autor), 2021, English Loanwords in Icibemba. Their Semantic Adaption, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1126806
