THE THEORY OF LEXICAL BORROWING: MIGRATION, ADAPTATION, AND INTEGRATION OF TERMS IN LANGUAGE

96 THE THEORY OF LEXICAL BORROWING: MIGRATION, ADAPTATION, AND INTEGRATION OF TERMS IN LANGUAGE Mamatova Shakhnoza Qarshi davlat universiteti doktoranti E-mail: [email protected] DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17441232 Abstract. This study explores how borrowed words move from one language to another, change to fit new linguistic environments, and eventually become part of the receiving language’s everyday vocabulary. Building on the works of Haspelmath (2009), Backus (2000), and Gardani (2022), it examines the path borrowed terms take—from their initial introduction, through phonological and morphological adaptation, to their complete integration. A mixed-methods approach combines corpus analysis, dictionary comparison, and interviews with bilingual speakers. These insights have implications for language planning, terminology development, and the protection of linguistic identity in multilingual societies. Keywords: lexical borrowing, term migration, phonological adaptation, morphological integration, semantic shift, language contact, bilingualism, terminology development, sociolinguistics, linguistic identity. Аннотация. Данное исследование посвящено тому, как заимствованные слова переходят из одного языка в другой, адаптируются к новым лингвистическим условиям и в конечном итоге становятся частью повседневной лексики языка-реципиента. Основываясь на работах Хаспельмата (2009), Бэкюса (2000) и Гардани (2022), рассматривается путь заимствованных терминов — от их первоначального появления до фонологической и морфологической адаптации и полной интеграции в язык. Использован смешанный метод: анализ корпусов, сопоставление словарных данных и интервью с билингвами. Полученные результаты имеют значение для языкового планирования, разработки терминологии и защиты языковой идентичности в многоязычных обществах. Ключевые слова: лексическое заимствование, миграция терминов, фонологическая адаптация, морфологическая интеграция, семантический сдвиг, языковой контакт, билингвизм, разработка терминологии, социолингвистика, языковая идентичность. Introduction Borrowed words have always been part of how languages evolve. In the modern world—where migration, trade, technological innovation, and political connections link communities more tightly than ever—words can travel across borders in a matter of days. Yet borrowing is more than simply importing a foreign word; it unfolds in three interconnected stages. First comes migration, when the word enters the recipient language. Next is adaptation, when the term is reshaped to match the recipient language’s sounds, grammar, and sometimes meanings. Finally, there is integration, the stage where the word feels native, losing the sense of being “foreign.” Scholars have approached this process in different ways. Haspelmath (2009) distinguishes between loanwords, loan translations, and semantic loans. 97 Backus (2000) contrasts temporary code-switching with permanent borrowing. Gardani (2022) connects borrowing patterns to historical and social forces. While the structural aspects of borrowing have been extensively studied, less attention has been paid to how linguistic changes interact with cultural, political, and social contexts— especially in specialized vocabularies shaped by globalization. This research aims to fill that gap by comparing three borrowing scenarios across very different historical and sociolinguistic settings. Theoretical and Methodological Overview In this study, migration is understood as the initial transfer of a word from one language to another, often through direct contact between speakers. Adaptation refers to the changes that make the borrowed word fit the recipient language’s phonological, morphological, and sometimes semantic patterns. Integration occurs when the word is accepted as part of the core lexicon, recorded in dictionaries, and used without hesitation by native speakers. These stages are influenced by more than just linguistic rules. Language prestige, cultural attitudes, education policies, and frequency of contact all shape the journey of a borrowed term. To examine these factors, this research draws on multiple sources: • Historical corpora to trace when and how frequently terms appear. • Dictionaries to check if and how the words are codified. • Interviews and speech samples from bilingual communities to capture attitudes and real-life use. The analysis uses phonological comparison charts, morphological pattern mapping, semantic shift tracking, and frequency counts. This approach allows patterns to be compared across the three case studies: English–Uzbek, French– English, and Russian–Central Asian borrowings. Discussion In the English–Uzbek context, scientific and technological terms often arrive through global communication and academic exchange. Many of these terms adapt quickly—using Uzbek suffixes, adjusting pronunciation—and integrate rapidly when they fill a genuine gap in the vocabulary. The French–English case, rooted in the Norman Conquest, illustrates a much older and slower process, driven by the prestige of French culture and governance. Over centuries, thousands of French terms became part of everyday English, often to the point where their foreign origins are no longer recognized. The Russian–Central Asian case reflects a different dynamic. During the Soviet era, many Russian terms entered local languages due to political and administrative pressure rather than organic adoption. Some of these terms have 98 stayed, but others were replaced after independence, showing that integration is not always permanent. Across all three contexts, certain themes emerge. Terms thrive when they are needed, when they fit comfortably into the language’s structure, and when speakers have a positive attitude toward them. They struggle or disappear when they are rarely used, awkward to pronounce, or tied to unwanted political or cultural associations. This echoes the frameworks proposed by Haspelmath (2009) and Backus (2000), while also highlighting that integration can be reversed when the prestige of the source language declines. Conclusion The journey of a borrowed word—from migration to adaptation to integration—is shaped by a blend of linguistic and social forces. While concerns over “language purity” often dominate public debates, borrowing can enrich and modernize a language when managed thoughtfully. For language planners and terminologists, the challenge lies in finding the right balance: encouraging adaptation that preserves structural harmony while ensuring that new terms meet real communicative needs. This balance is crucial for maintaining both linguistic vitality and cultural identity in an increasingly interconnected world. References: 1. Backus, A. (2000). Insertional codeswitching in an immigrant language: “Just” borrowing or lexical re-orientation? Bilingualism: Language and Cognition, 3(2), 103–105. 2. Esenova, E. J., Kalynych, I. J., & Bojtor, V. J. (2024). Types of lexical borrowing. Scientific Bulletin of Uzhhorod University: Series Philology, 1(53), 45–55. 3. Gardani, F. (2022). Contact and borrowing. In A. Ledgeway & M. Maiden (Eds.), The Cambridge handbook of Romance linguistics (pp. 845–869). Cambridge University Press. 4. Haspelmath, M. (2009). Lexical borrowing: Concepts and issues. In M. Haspelmath & U. Tadmor (Eds.), Loanwords in the world’s languages: A comparative handbook (pp. 35–54). De Gruyter Mouton. 5. Mahmudova, S. A. (2023). Problems of assimilation of borrowings belonging to different language families. Path of Science, 9(6), 3013–3020.