Borrowing vs Calque: When And How Can You Use Each One?

When it comes to language, borrowing and calque are two terms that often come up in discussions about word origins and language evolution. But what do these terms really mean, and how do they differ from each other? Let’s take a closer look.

Borrowing and calque are both linguistic processes that involve the adoption of words from one language into another. However, there are some key differences between the two.

Borrowing refers to the process of taking a word or phrase from one language and incorporating it into another language, often with little or no modification to the original word. For example, the English word “sushi” is a borrowing from Japanese.

Calque, on the other hand, refers to the process of translating a word or phrase from one language into another, often by creating a new word or phrase in the target language that mirrors the structure of the original word or phrase. For example, the English phrase “beer garden” is a calque of the German phrase “Biergarten.”

Throughout this article, we’ll explore the similarities and differences between borrowing and calque in more detail, and discuss some examples of each process in action.

Define Borrowing

Borrowing, in linguistics, refers to the process of adopting a word or phrase from one language and incorporating it into another language. This can happen for a variety of reasons, such as the need to describe a new concept or object, or simply because the borrowing language lacks a suitable equivalent term. Borrowed words can take on new meanings or pronunciations in the borrowing language, and may also be subject to changes in spelling or grammar.

Define Calque

A calque, also known as a loan translation, is a type of borrowing in which a word or phrase from one language is translated literally into another language. This can result in some unusual or unexpected phrasing, as the borrowing language may not have the same grammatical structure as the source language. Calques are often used for technical or scientific terms, where precise meanings are important and there may not be an established equivalent term in the borrowing language.

How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence

When it comes to writing, choosing the right word can make all the difference. In the world of linguistics, borrowing and calque are two terms that are often used interchangeably, but they actually have different meanings. Here’s how to properly use these words in a sentence.

How To Use Borrowing In A Sentence

Borrowing is the process of taking a word from one language and using it in another language without translation. This is a common occurrence in English, which has borrowed words from many different languages over the years. Here are some examples of how to use borrowing in a sentence:

• The English language has borrowed many words from French, such as “restaurant” and “champagne”.
• Yoga is a Sanskrit word that has been borrowed by English speakers.
• The word “tsunami” is a borrowing from Japanese.

When using borrowing in a sentence, it’s important to make sure that the borrowed word is spelled correctly and used in the proper context. It’s also important to note that some borrowed words may have slightly different meanings in their original language than they do in English.

How To Use Calque In A Sentence

Calque, on the other hand, is the process of translating a word or phrase from one language to another word-for-word. This can lead to some interesting and sometimes confusing results. Here are some examples of how to use calque in a sentence:

• The English phrase “beer garden” is a calque of the German “Biergarten”.
• The French phrase “faux pas” is a calque of the English “false step”.
• The Chinese phrase “ping an” is a calque of the English “peace”.

When using calque in a sentence, it’s important to make sure that the translated phrase makes sense in the target language and is not too literal. Sometimes, it may be better to use a borrowed word instead of a calque to avoid confusion.

More Examples Of Borrowing & Calque Used In Sentences

In this section, we will provide more examples of borrowing and calque used in sentences to help you better understand the differences between the two concepts.

Examples Of Using Borrowing In A Sentence

• He ordered a croissant and café au lait for breakfast.
• She wore a kimono to the Japanese tea ceremony.
• The restaurant served tapas and sangria.
• He was excited to attend a fiesta in Mexico.
• The company hired a guru to improve their marketing strategy.
• She bought a yoga mat and started practicing asanas.
• The band played a medley of salsa, merengue, and bachata.
• He used chopsticks to eat his sushi.
• The museum exhibited a collection of Renaissance paintings.
• She learned how to make gnocchi from an Italian cookbook.

Examples Of Using Calque In A Sentence

• He is a homme d’affaires, which means businessman in French.
• She said she was feeling schadenfreude, which means pleasure derived from someone else’s misfortune in German.
• The company adopted a wait-and-see attitude, which is a calque of the French expression attendre et voir.
• He described his experience as déjà vu, which means already seen in French.
• The term mind-body problem is a calque of the German expression Geist-Körper-Problem.
• She used the expression coup de foudre, which means love at first sight in French.
• He said he was going to have a siesta, which is a calque of the Spanish word for nap.
• The concept of Weltanschauung is a calque of the German word for worldview.
• She referred to her inner critic as the Dämon der Inneren Stimme, which is a calque of the German expression for demon of the inner voice.
• The term Übermensch is a calque of the German word for Superman.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

Borrowing and calque are often used interchangeably, but this is a mistake that can lead to confusion and miscommunication. Here are some common mistakes to avoid when using these terms:

1. Using Borrowing When You Mean Calque

Borrowing refers to the process of taking a word or phrase from one language and incorporating it into another language without translation. Calque, on the other hand, refers to the process of borrowing a phrase or expression from another language and translating it literally word-for-word. One common mistake is using borrowing when you actually mean calque. For example, using the phrase “cul-de-sac” in English is borrowing from French, while translating the French phrase “tête-à-tête” as “head-to-head” is an example of calque.

2. Using Calque When You Mean Borrowing

Another common mistake is using calque when you actually mean borrowing. For example, using the phrase “carpe diem” in English is borrowing from Latin, while translating the Latin phrase “veni, vidi, vici” as “I came, I saw, I conquered” is an example of borrowing.

3. Assuming All Loanwords Are Borrowings

Not all loanwords are borrowings. Some loanwords are calques, while others are a combination of the two. For example, the English word “skyscraper” is a calque of the Dutch word “wolkenkrabber”, which literally means “cloud scraper”. However, the English word “chocolate” is a borrowing from Spanish, which borrowed it from the Nahuatl word “xocolātl”.

4. Using Calques Incorrectly

Using calques incorrectly can also lead to confusion. Calques should only be used when the translated phrase or expression has a similar meaning and usage as the original phrase or expression. For example, translating the French phrase “faire la grasse matinée” as “make the fat morning” is not a correct calque, as it does not convey the correct meaning. A better calque would be “sleep in”.

Tips To Avoid These Mistakes:

• Learn the difference between borrowing and calque
• Be aware of the language you are borrowing from and the context in which the word or phrase is used
• Consult a dictionary or language expert if you are unsure
• Practice using loanwords correctly in context

Context Matters

When it comes to borrowing and calque, context plays a crucial role in determining which approach to use. While borrowing involves directly adopting foreign words or phrases into a language, calque involves translating them into equivalent terms in the target language. Here are some examples of different contexts where the choice between borrowing and calque might change:

1. Technical Terminology

In technical fields such as medicine, engineering, and computer science, borrowing is often the preferred approach. This is because technical terminology is often standardized across different languages, and borrowing allows for consistency and clarity. For instance, in the field of medicine, terms such as “MRI” and “CT scan” are commonly borrowed from English and used in other languages without translation.

2. Cultural Concepts

When it comes to cultural concepts, calque is often the better choice. This is because cultural concepts are often unique to specific languages and cultures, and borrowing can lead to confusion or misinterpretation. For example, the Japanese term “karaoke” is a calque of the English phrase “empty orchestra,” and the German word “schadenfreude” (meaning pleasure derived from someone else’s misfortune) is a calque of the Latin “gaudium de malo.”

3. Colloquial Language

In colloquial language, borrowing and calque can both be effective, depending on the context. Borrowing can add a sense of trendiness or modernity to language, while calque can add a sense of familiarity or humor. For example, in French, the English word “weekend” is commonly used, while the phrase “faire la grasse matinée” (literally “to make the fat morning”) is a colloquial calque for “to sleep in.”

4. Historical Context

Historical context can also play a role in the choice between borrowing and calque. In some cases, borrowing may be preferred to reflect a historical influence or connection between languages. For instance, the English word “alcohol” comes from the Arabic “al-kuhl,” and the Spanish word “almohada” (meaning pillow) comes from the Arabic “al-mukhadda.”

Overall, the choice between borrowing and calque depends on the specific context in which they are used. By considering factors such as technical terminology, cultural concepts, colloquial language, and historical context, writers and translators can make informed decisions that enhance the clarity and effectiveness of their communication.

Exceptions To The Rules

While borrowing and calque are widely used in language borrowing, there are some exceptions where the rules may not apply. Here are a few examples:

1. Proper Nouns

Proper nouns, such as names of people, places, and organizations, are often borrowed directly from the source language. This is because they are specific and unique to that language and culture. For example, the name “Tokyo” is a direct borrowing from Japanese, and “Paris” is a borrowing from French. Calquing proper nouns can lead to confusion and loss of meaning.

2. Technical Terms

Technical terms, particularly in fields such as science, medicine, and technology, are often borrowed directly from the source language. This is because they are often coined by experts in that field and are not easily translated. For example, the term “DNA” is a borrowing from English, and “robot” is a borrowing from Czech. Calquing technical terms can lead to inaccurate translations and misunderstandings.

3. Idiomatic Expressions

Idiomatic expressions, such as “kick the bucket” or “let the cat out of the bag,” are often difficult to translate directly. Borrowing the expression as a whole is often the best way to convey its meaning in another language. Calquing idiomatic expressions can result in awkward or nonsensical translations.

4. Cultural Concepts

Cultural concepts, such as holidays, traditions, and beliefs, are often unique to a particular language and culture. Borrowing these concepts directly can help preserve their meaning and significance. Calquing cultural concepts can result in the loss of cultural identity and understanding.

Overall, while borrowing and calque are useful tools in language borrowing, it is important to consider the context and purpose of the translation to determine which method is most appropriate.

Practice Exercises

Now that you have a good understanding of borrowing and calque, it’s time to put your knowledge into practice. Below are some exercises to help you improve your understanding and use of these concepts in sentences.

Exercise 1: Borrowing Or Calque?

Decide whether the following sentences use borrowing or calque:

Sentence	Borrowing or Calque?
The restaurant had a je ne sais quoi.	Borrowing
He was the enfant terrible of the company.	Borrowing
She was the belle of the ball.	Borrowing
The company implemented a new modus operandi.	Borrowing
The new employee was a real game changer.	Calque
The company’s new slogan is “pensa globalmente, agisci localmente.”	Calque

Answer Key: 1. Borrowing, 2. Borrowing, 3. Borrowing, 4. Borrowing, 5. Calque, 6. Calque

Exercise 2: Using Borrowing And Calque In Sentences

Use borrowing or calque to fill in the blanks:

1. The new employee was a real ________ ________ for the company.
2. The company’s new ________ is “think globally, act locally.”
3. He was known for his ________ ________.
4. The restaurant had a certain ________ ________.

Answer Key: 1. game changer (calque), 2. slogan (borrowing), 3. je ne sais quoi (borrowing), 4. something special (calque)

By practicing these exercises, you can improve your understanding and use of borrowing and calque in your writing and speech.

Conclusion

In conclusion, borrowing and calquing are two language phenomena that are often confused with each other. Borrowing refers to the process of taking a word or phrase from one language and incorporating it into another language without translation, while calquing involves translating a word or phrase from one language into another language word-for-word.

It is important to understand the differences between borrowing and calquing in order to use them effectively in language learning and communication. Borrowing can help to enrich a language by introducing new words and concepts, while calquing can be useful for creating neologisms or technical terms in a language.

However, it is also important to be aware of the potential pitfalls of borrowing and calquing. Borrowed words may not always fit seamlessly into the grammatical and syntactical structures of the borrowing language, while calqued phrases may not always convey the intended meaning in the target language.

Ultimately, the key takeaway from this article is that language is a complex and dynamic system that is constantly evolving. By continuing to learn about grammar and language use, readers can deepen their understanding of language and become more effective communicators.