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In linguistics, an internationalism or international word is a loanword that occurs in several languages (that is, translingually) with the same or at least similar meaning and etymology. These words exist in "several different languages as a result of simultaneous or successive borrowings from the ultimate source".^[1] Pronunciation and orthography are similar so that the word is understandable between the different languages.

It is debated how many languages are required for a word to be considered an internationalism.^{[citation needed]} Furthermore, the languages required can also depend on the specific target language at stake. For example, according to Ghil'ad Zuckermann, the most important languages that should include the same lexical item in order for it to qualify as an internationalism in Hebrew are Yiddish, Polish, Russian, French, German and English.^[2]

The term is uncommon in English^{[citation needed]}, although English has contributed a considerable number of words to world languages, e.g., the sport terms football, baseball, cricket, and golf.

International scientific vocabulary is a class of terms that contains many internationalisms. For some of them it is known which modern language used them first, whereas for others it is not traceable, but the chronologic sequence is usually of limited practical importance anyway, as almost immediately after their origination they appeared in multiple languages.

Origins[edit]

European internationalisms originate primarily from Latin or Greek, but from other languages as well.^[3] However, due to English being the main lingua franca of the Western world, an increasing number of internationalisms originate from English. Many non-European words have also become international.

Diffusion[edit]

Internationalisms often spread together with the innovations they designate. Accordingly, there are semantic fields dominated by specific languages, e.g. the computing vocabulary which is mainly English with internationalisms such as computer, disk, and spam. New inventions, political institutions, foodstuffs, leisure activities, science, and technological advances have all generated new lexemes and continue to do so: bionics, cybernetics, gene, coffee, chocolate, etc..

Some internationalisms are spread by speakers of one language living in geographical regions where other languages are spoken. For example, some internationalisms coming from the English in India are bungalow, jute, khaki, mango, pyjamas, and sari.^{[citation needed]}

Use in constructed IALs[edit]

Due to their widespread use, internationalisms are often loaned into international auxiliary languages. Many constructed IALs borrow vocabulary that is already known by learners, so that they are as easy as possible to learn.

Internationalisms that occur in many languages are usually eligible to be included in Interlingua. Early internationalisms, such as those from French and German, tend to be part of Interlingua's basic vocabulary. Later internationalisms, often from English, tend to be Interlingua loanwords. Among Asian languages, Arabic most often provides basic vocabulary, while Japanese contributes recent loanwords.

Examples[edit]

References[edit]

^ Arnold, Irina Vladimirovna (1986). The English Word (PDF). Moscow. Retrieved 2022-07-22.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
^ Pages 187-188 in Language Contact and Lexical Enrichment in Israeli Hebrew, by Ghil'ad Zuckermann, Palgrave Macmillan, 2003.
^ Wexler, Paul (1969). "Towards a Structural Definition of 'Internationalisms'". Linguistics. 7 (48). doi:10.1515/ling.1969.7.48.77. ISSN 0024-3949. S2CID 144470730.

[1] Arnold, Irina Vladimirovna (1986). The English Word (PDF). Moscow. Retrieved 2022-07-22.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)

[2] Pages 187-188 in Language Contact and Lexical Enrichment in Israeli Hebrew, by Ghil'ad Zuckermann, Palgrave Macmillan, 2003.

[3] Wexler, Paul (1969). "Towards a Structural Definition of 'Internationalisms'". Linguistics. 7 (48). doi:10.1515/ling.1969.7.48.77. ISSN 0024-3949. S2CID 144470730.

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[2]

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{short description|Loanword that occurs in several languages, with the same or similar meaning and etymology}}
-{{Unreferenced|date=July 2009}}
+{{Refimprove|date=September 2017}}
 {{expand German|Internationalismus (Sprache)|date=October 2013}}
-In [[linguistics]], an '''internationalism''' or '''international word''' is a [[loanword]] that occurs in several languages (that is, [[translingualism|translingually]]) with the same or at least similar meaning and etymology. These words exist in "several different languages as a result of simultaneous or successive borrowings from the ultimate source" (I.V.Arnold){{Cite quote|date=May 2012}}. [[Pronunciation]] and [[orthography]] are similar so that the word is understandable between the different languages.
+In [[linguistics]], an '''internationalism''' or '''international word''' is a [[loanword]] that occurs in several languages (that is, [[translingualism|translingually]]) with the same or at least similar meaning and etymology. These words exist in "several different languages as a result of simultaneous or successive borrowings from the ultimate source".<ref>{{Cite book |first=Irina Vladimirovna |last=Arnold |title=The English Word |language=en |location=Moscow |date=1986 |url=http://www.ukrsurt.com.ua/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Arnold-I.V.-The-English-Word.pdf |access-date=2022-07-22 }}</ref> [[Pronunciation]] and [[orthography]] are similar so that the word is understandable between the different languages.
-It is debated how many languages are required so that a word is an internationalism.{{Citation needed|date=February 2008}} Furthermore, the languages required can also depend on the specific [[target language (translation)|target language]] at stake. For example, according to [[Ghil'ad Zuckermann]], the most important languages that should include the same lexical item in order for it to qualify as an internationalism in [[Israeli Hebrew|Israeli]] are [[Yiddish language|Yiddish]], [[Polish language|Polish]], [[Russian language|Russian]], [[French language|French]], [[German language|German]] and [[English language|English]].<ref>Pages 187-188 in [[Language Contact and Lexical Enrichment in Israeli Hebrew]], by Ghil'ad Zuckermann, [[Palgrave Macmillan]], 2003.</ref>
+It is debated how many languages are required for a word to be considered an internationalism.{{Citation needed|date=February 2008}} Furthermore, the languages required can also depend on the specific [[target language (translation)|target language]] at stake. For example, according to [[Ghil'ad Zuckermann]], the most important languages that should include the same lexical item in order for it to qualify as an internationalism in [[Modern Hebrew|Hebrew]] are [[Yiddish language|Yiddish]], [[Polish language|Polish]], [[Russian language|Russian]], [[French language|French]], [[German language|German]] and [[English language|English]].<ref>Pages 187-188 in [[Language Contact and Lexical Enrichment in Israeli Hebrew]], by Ghil'ad Zuckermann, [[Palgrave Macmillan]], 2003.</ref>
-The term is uncommon in [[English language|English]]{{Citation needed|date=February 2008}}, although English has contributed a considerable number of words to world languages, e.g. the sport terms: ''[[football (soccer)|football]], [[baseball]], [[cricket]], and [[golf]]''.
+The term is uncommon in [[English language|English]]{{Citation needed|date=February 2008}}, although English has contributed a considerable number of words to world languages, e.g., the sport terms ''[[football (soccer)|football]]'', ''[[baseball]]'', ''[[cricket]]'', and ''[[golf]]''.
+[[International scientific vocabulary]] is a class of terms that contains many internationalisms. For some of them it is known which modern language used them first, whereas for others it is not traceable, but the chronologic sequence is usually of limited practical importance anyway, as almost immediately after their origination they appeared in multiple languages.
 ==Origins==
-European internationalisms originate primarily from [[Latin]] or [[Greek language|Greek]], but from other languages as well.{{Citation needed|date=February 2008}} Many non-European words have also become international.
+European internationalisms originate primarily from [[Latin]] or [[Greek language|Greek]], but from other languages as well.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Wexler |first=Paul |title=Towards a Structural Definition of 'Internationalisms' |date=1969 |url=https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/ling.1969.7.48.77/html |journal=Linguistics |volume=7 |issue=48 |doi=10.1515/ling.1969.7.48.77 |s2cid=144470730 |issn=0024-3949}}</ref> However, due to [[English language|English]] being the main [[lingua franca]] of the [[Western world]], an increasing number of internationalisms originate from English. Many non-European words have also become international.
 ==Diffusion==
@@ Line 15: / Line 18: @@
 Some internationalisms are spread by speakers of one language living in geographical regions where other languages are spoken.  For example, some internationalisms coming from the English in India are ''[[bungalow]]'', ''[[jute]]'', ''[[khaki]]'', ''[[mango]]'', ''[[pyjamas]]'', and ''[[sari]]''.{{Citation needed|date=May 2008}}<!---Aren't these examples rather due to British trade? --->
+==Use in constructed IALs==
-==Interlingua==
-{{Main|Interlingua}}
+{{See also|Interlingua}}
+Due to their widespread use, internationalisms are often loaned into [[international auxiliary language]]s. Many [[Constructed language|constructed]] IALs borrow vocabulary that is already known by learners, so that they are as easy as possible to learn.
 Internationalisms that occur in many languages are usually [[Interlingua and eligibility of international words|eligible to be included in Interlingua]]. Early internationalisms, such as those from French and German, tend to be part of [[Interlingua]]'s basic vocabulary. Later internationalisms, often from English, tend to be Interlingua loanwords. Among Asian languages, [[Arabic language|Arabic]] most often provides basic vocabulary, while [[Japanese language|Japanese]] contributes recent loanwords.
-==Samples==
+==Examples==
+{{div col|colwidth=12em}}
-*[[Academy]]
+*[[wikt:academy|Academy]]
-*[[Airport]]
+*[[wikt:airport|Airport]]
-*[[Automobile]]
+*[[wikt:ambulance|Ambulance]]
-*[[Blog]]
+*[[wikt:ananas|Ananas]] ([[pineapple]] in English)
-*[[Center (disambiguation)|Centre]] (Center)
+*[[wikt:antenna|Antenna]]
-*[[Chocolate]]
+*[[wikt:athlete|Athlete]]
-*[[Coffee]]
-*[[Computer]]
+*[[wikt:atom|Atom]]
+*[[wikt:automobile|Automobile]]
-*[[Design]]
-*[[Dictator]]
+*[[wikt:baby|Baby]]
-*[[Physician|Doctor]]
+*[[wikt:bacon|Bacon]]
+*[[wikt:ballerina|Ballerina]]
-*[[Hospital]]
-*[[Hotel]]
+*[[wikt:ballet|Ballet]]
-*[[International]]
+*[[wikt:bar|Bar]]
-*[[Internet]]
+*[[wikt:blog|Blog]]
-*[[Literature]]
+*[[wikt:bravo|Bravo]]
+*[[wikt:burger|Burger]]
-*[[Metro (rapid transit)|Métro]]
-*[[Microscope]]
+*[[wikt:bus|Bus]]
-*[[Okay|OK]]
+*[[wikt:cabin|Cabin]]
-*[[Police]]
+*[[wikt:cable|Cable]]
+*[[wikt:centre|Centre]] (or [[wikt:center|center]])
-*[[Politics]]
+*[[wikt:chocolate|Chocolate]]
-*[[Psychology]]
-*[[Radio]]
+*[[wikt:coffee|Coffee]]
-*[[Sauna]]
+*[[wikt:cola|Cola]]
+*[[wikt:colony|Colony]]
-*[[Shock (disambiguation)|Shock]]
-*[[Sport]]
+*[[wikt:comedy|Comedy]]
-*[[Wiktionary:Stress|Stress]]
+*[[wikt:computer|Computer]]
-*[[Studio]]
+*[[wikt:copy|Copy]]
+*[[wikt:corridor|Corridor]]
-*[[Taboo]]
-*[[Taxicab|Taxi]]
+*[[wikt:coupon|Coupon]]
-*[[Telephone]]
+*[[wikt:delta|Delta]]
-*[[Telescope]]
+*[[wikt:design|Design]]
+*[[wikt:dictator|Dictator]]
-*[[Television]]
+*[[wikt:diploma|Diploma]]
-*[[Tennis]]
+*[[wikt:doctor|Doctor]]
-*[[Ticket (disambiguation)|Ticket]]
+*[[wikt:foxtrot|Foxtrot]]
-*[[Tokamak]]
-*[[Tomahawk (axe)|Tomahawk]]
+*[[wikt:golf|Golf]]
+*[[wikt:gorilla|Gorilla]]
-*[[Tsunami]]
+*[[wikt:harmony|Harmony]]
+*[[wikt:hospital|Hospital]]
+*[[wikt:hotel|Hotel]]
+*[[wikt:inspection|Inspection]]
+*[[wikt:international|International]]
+*[[wikt:Internet|Internet]]
+*[[wikt:interview|Interview]]
+*[[wikt:league#Noun|League]]
+*[[wikt:literature|Literature]]
+*[[wikt:machine|Machine]]
+*[[wikt:magnet|Magnet]]
+*[[wikt:mama|Mama]]
+*[[wikt:margarine|Margarine]]
+*[[wikt:marmalade|Marmalade]]
+*[[wikt:massage|Massage]]
+*[[wikt:medal|Medal]]
+*[[wikt:medicine|Medicine]]
+*[[wikt:menu|Menu]]
+*[[wikt:metro|Metro]]
+*[[wikt:microphone|Microphone]]
+*[[wikt:microscope|Microscope]]
+*[[wikt:motor|Motor]]
+*[[wikt:number|Number]]
+*[[wikt:okay|Okay]] (or [[wikt:OK|OK]])
+*[[wikt:Olympiad|Olympiad]]
+*[[wikt:operation|Operation]]
+*[[wikt:papa|Papa]]
+*[[wikt:party|Party]]
+*[[wikt:pedal|Pedal]]
+*[[wikt:pistol|Pistol]]
+*[[wikt:pizza|Pizza]]
+*[[wikt:police|Police]]
+*[[wikt:politics|Politics]]
+*[[wikt:psychology|Psychology]]
+*[[wikt:quiz|Quiz]]
+*[[wikt:radio|Radio]]
+*[[wikt:register|Register]]
+*[[wikt:sandal|Sandal]]
+*[[wikt:sardine|Sardine]]
+*[[wikt:Satan|Satan]]
+*[[wikt:sauna|Sauna]]
+*[[wikt:shock|Shock]]
+*[[wikt:signal|Signal]]
+*[[wikt:sport|Sport]]
+*[[wikt:station|Station]]
+*[[wikt:Stress|Stress]]
+*[[wikt:studio|Studio]]
+*[[wikt:taboo|Taboo]]
+*[[wikt:tango|Tango]]
+*[[wikt:taxi|Taxi]]
+*[[wikt:telephone|Telephone]]
+*[[wikt:telescope|Telescope]]
+*[[wikt:television|Television]]
+*[[wikt:tennis|Tennis]]
+*[[wikt:test|Test]]
+*[[wikt:tokamak|Tokamak]]
+*[[wikt:tomahawk|Tomahawk]]
+*[[wikt:tomato|Tomato]]
+*[[wikt:tractor|Tractor]]
+*[[wikt:transport|Transport]]
+*[[wikt:tsunami|Tsunami]]
+*[[wikt:uniform|Uniform]]
+*[[wikt:visa|Visa]]
+*[[wikt:whiskey|Whiskey]]
+*[[wikt:X-ray|X-ray]]
+{{div col end}}
 ==See also==
@@ Line 69: / Line 140: @@
 ==Further reading==
-* Peter Braun, Burkhard Schaeder, Johannes Volmert (eds.): Internationalismen II. Studien zur interlingualen Lexikologie und Lexikographie (Reihe Germanistische Linguistik. Band 246), Tübingen: Niemeyer 2003, ISBN 3-484-31246-7.
+* Peter Braun, Burkhard Schaeder, Johannes Volmert (eds.): Internationalismen II. Studien zur interlingualen Lexikologie und Lexikographie (Reihe Germanistische Linguistik. Band 246), Tübingen: Niemeyer 2003, {{ISBN|3-484-31246-7}}.
+==References==
+{{Reflist}}
-{{DEFAULTSORT:Internationalism (Linguistics)}}
 [[Category:Historical linguistics]]
 [[Category:Interlingua]]