Tarptautinių žodžių vartosenos aktualijos latvių kalboje

124 Languages culture | 86 DZINTRA ŠULCE University of Liepaja, Latvia International vocabulary usage in Latvian KEY WORDS: international words, adaptation, usage problems. International words, or internationalisms, are an integral part of the vocabulary of all languages. they always receive special attention from the public and especially from linguists. The aim of this article is to analyze the recent trends in the use of international words in Latvian: their adaptation, semantics, spelling and to identify the most important problematic cases, which should be paid more attention in the future. The term international word is usually used to designate a loanword borrowed from other languages and grammatically adapted to the borrowing language, whose origin from another language (by individual phonetic and / or morphological features) is perceived by the majority of language users (vpsv 2007: 384). In order for an international word to fit into a language, it must be adapted according to 3 principles: 1) phonetic adaptation – adaptation to the phonetic and phonological system of a particular language; 2) morphological adaptation – adapts to the morphological system of the language, in other words, acquires the morphological form characteristic of each part of the language; international words are carried over into the system of interjection and personification, although there are exceptions that are not carried over, e.g.: kino, auto, tabu, kivi, frī, foajē, komunikē, ampluā, ragū, kakao; 3) semantic adaptation – a foreign word is adopted with the meaning it has in the original language, but in the borrowed language the meaning of the word may change (laua 1981: 127–133). During the longer-term study, the following main problematic cases of the use of international words in the Latvian language were identified. d. Šulce. usage of international words in Latvian 125 1. the main difficulties are related to maintaining the quality of vowels. there are two types of deviation: a) the long vowel is pronounced incorrectly instead of the short vowel, e.g.: kino, radio, albums, atoms, automobilis, šampanietis, radiators, mobils, mediji, stabils; b) the long vowel is replaced by a short one, e.g.: pozīcija, bibliotēka, drāma, mūzika, flomāsters, garāža, depozīts, pronounced incorrectly, the corresponding short one is written instead of the long vowel. 2. confusing quality of vowels: lat. philologia (=philology), aciton (=acetone), phrasiologia (=phraseology), sandeles (=sandales), komendants (=commander), alkahols (=alcohol), trenežieris (=trainer). 3. omitted vowels: lat. orģināls (=original), adminstrācija (=administration), kombinzons (=suit). 4. confusing consonants, e.g. : instead of c pronounced z: licenze (=licence); z is pronounced instead of s: zolīdi (=solid), pensija (=pension); c is used instead of the consonant s: finances (=finances); the hard consonant l is pronounced soft ļ: shashlik (= shashlik); p is pronounced instead of b: apsolvents (=absolvents), apsurds (=absurds); g is used instead of the consonant h: begemots (=bemoaned). 5. the quantity of the pronunciation of the sonants should be taken into account: sammits (=samits), nummurs (=numurs). 6. confused word endings -s and -ss: komiks (=komikss). 7. confusing the meanings of similarly spelled international words, e.g.: lat. efektīvs and efektīgs, interesenti and interesanti, kompetenti and komponenti. 8. practical clarification of the difficulties related to compliance with the latest decisions of the Latvian Language Expert Commission (vvc lveK) of the State Language Centre, as the latter are not sufficiently popularized. 9. is also problematic because the adaptation of international words leads to variants, e.g. : Iceland and Iceland, Icelandic and Icelandic (used as parallel variants since June 2011 by the lveK resolution). the reasons for the individual problems of adaptation and use of international words must be searched in the history of the language. In the exile (who left Latvia during the second world war) a different tradition of adapting and spelling international words was formed. These differences are mainly due to several language reforms carried out in Latvia (in 1946 and 1957, and partly regulated in the 1967 and 1968 decrees), which were also related to the spelling of international words (strautiņa, Šulce 2009: 76–78). 126 Languages Culture | 86 However, language practice shows that the spelling of most of the incorrectly used words has not changed for many decades, e.g.: lat. šampanietis, flomāsters, ananāss, balzams, kēkss, krēms, kombinezons, mų tarptautinių žodžių atsiranda dėl neatidumo ir paviršutiniškumo, nes alkoholiskie dzērieni, vinegrets, sandales, šašliks, albums, kino, radio, ekskavators, Venera (svešvārdu vārdnīca 1999, 2005, 2008; lvppv 1995). a large number of international words used in Latvian are unchanged, which suggests that they were not adapted when they came into Latvian, e.g.: lat. kino, radio, kakao, rokoko, komunikē, kapučīno, kivi, ampluā, ragū, auto, loto, moto, kakadu. Lithuanians have managed the majority of international words more successfully and have fully adapted them to the Lithuanian grammar system, e.g.: kėnas, kakavà, ràdijas, rokòkas, komunikãtas, kapučėnas, sùšis, eurayas. although there are some similarities – some international words remained unchanged in Lithuanian, e.g.: žabò, tabù, sòlo, foj, metrò, atelj. The meaning of international words is often confused in language usage. It must be said that not only the most recent international words are difficult, but also those that have traditionally been in the language for more than a few decades. Sometimes we have to deal with paradoxes, when even linguists themselves do not fully understand the meanings of international words used in their scientific works, e.g. in Latvian: “Par to, ka šī grāmata un uzrakstīta, pirmkārt jāpateicas visiem tiem filologiem un valodniekiem manā dzīvē, kuri pāri gadiem apliecinājuši […]” (strelēvica-ošiņa 2011: 11). For the fact that this book was written, I should first of all thank all the philologists and linguists I met in my life, who over the years confirmed [...]. plg. definition: Philology – Latin filologia < Greek philologia – love of the word – a whole consisting of linguistics, literary science and folklore, and philologist – Greek philologos – a specialist in philology (svešvārdu vārdnīca 2008: 256). Thus, the term philology also includes the notion of linguist, and therefore the text contains excessive information. This interpretation is also given in other dictionaries of international words (svešvārdu vārdnīca 1999: 223; ilustrētā svešvārdu vārdnīca 2005: 227). The material under analysis shows that international words are used disproportionately, especially since their synonyms exist in Latvian. In everyday practice, international words usually complicate information d. Šulce. 127 acquisition of international words, although, of course, there are areas where international words are needed. the corresponding internationalism is understood in different languages, but even in scientific papers it should be avoided to use too many international words. In the texts being read, the thought is sometimes expressed almost exclusively by international words (petre 2008: 17), e.g. latviešu valodā. However, in H. M. Encensberger’s literary epistemology, the relevant elements of modern poetry organically fit into the overall structure – in our time they unleash the fantasy, thus giving “empirical values” a new capacity and providing wide “labyrinthine” possibilities. [...] The teaching of the topological character of modernism for H. M. Encensberger means the dialectics of paradigm orientation and disorientation (Kastiņš, belozjorova 2013: 144). However, in the epistemology of H. M. Enzensberger’s literature, the relevant elements of modern poetry are organically merged into a common structure – in our time they free the imagination, thus assigning new capabilities to “empirical values” and giving broad “labyrinthic” possibilities. [...] Teaching about the topological nature of modernism for H. M. Enzensberger means the dialectics of paradigm orientation and disorientation. The study included a survey on the use of current international words, questionnaires were prepared in Lithuanian and Latvian, but they were filled in by relatively few respondents. At present, the answers processed show only general tendencies, they cannot fully reflect the attitude to the problems raised (the questionnaires were filled in Latvian by 47 respondents, Lithuanian – 29 – mainly students and lecturers (related to philology). The author of the study believes that it would be prospective to purposefully compare the adaptation and use of international words in Latvian and Lithuanian, as well as to expand the scope of questions of the initial questionnaire. The questionnaire in Latvian language was broader in nature, the questions raised various topics, e.g.: it was asked about the criteria by which language users distinguish foreign words from inherited words; whether attention is paid to the new spelling of foreign names; in which sources information about the difficulties of foreign words is sought; asked to provide concrete examples of foreign words and suggestions on how to better assimilate international words in Latvian. respondents from Lithuania were asked whether they pay attention to the adaptation of foreign words and spelling innovations; which of the given foreign word variants is used in everyday life; whether they have to face problems with the use of foreign words and / or spelling, and also attempted to clarify the attitude to the use of international words in Lithuanian. In their responses, respondents mostly emphasized that nowadays it is not possible to do without international words, but more attention should be 128 Languages Culture | 86 attention to their adaptation, spelling and usage. texts should not be burdened with international words if the idea can be expressed in other words, i.e. in the native language. Users of both languages suggest not to be too fond of anglicisms, which have now come into fashion (instead of former Russian and German words). However, Latvian (or Lithuanian) solutions should not be sought in cases where international words sound better than words in the native language, and the latter are not easy to adapt. More attention should be paid to the spelling and correct use of international words in various institutions and media, and the decisions adopted by language commissions on the use of international words should be more widely publicized. Language users do not always follow language changes, and therefore use the old usual variant in everyday speech. international words already established in the language should not be changed. International words used more frequently in Lithuanian and Latvian are collected in dictionaries of international words, indicating the language from which they originated, the interpretation of the meaning and the specificity of use in the specific borrowed language. The following dictionaries of international words have been published in recent years in Lithuania: Tarptautinių žodžių žodynas (2001, 2007, 2008), in Latvia – Svešā vārdu vārd nīca (1999, 2005, 2008). Language issues in Lithuania are regularly resolved by the State Lithuanian Language Commission, in Latvia – by the Latvian Language Experts Commission of the State Language Centre (internet resources are provided in the list of literature and sources). The latest research and recommendations on the Latvian language can also be found in the collection of articles Valodas praksē: vērojumi un ieteikumi (2005–2013). Some of them also have an additional language advisory section, which clearly shows that international words are still a problem for language users and should be given more attention. During the investigation it was confirmed that the Latvian language agency, providing written and oral language advice, is of great importance in clarifying the concerning questions. The study confirms once again that the public needs to be better acquainted with the adaptation and spelling innovations of international words: this would encourage people to spell and use international words correctly in everyday settings. The analyzed material shows that there will always be problems with adaptation, spelling and use of international words (not only in Latvian and Lithuanian languages), so each word should be examined separately and the most appropriate solution is taken in a specific case. The reviewed topic is and will be particularly relevant in the age of globalization and active migration, therefore more detailed studies of international words in Lithuanian and Latvian are needed. d. Šulce. topics of international word usage in Latvian 129 literatūra Illustrated Dictionary of Foreign Words 2005: riga: source. Kastiņš j., belozjorova l. 2013: The literary epistemology of Hans Magnus Enzensberger. – Current problems in literary science. 18, liepāja: liepa, 139–145. lvppv 1995: Dictionary of Latvian Spelling and Orthography, riga: avots. Laua a. 1981: Latvian lexicology, Rīga: Zvaigzne. petre b. 2008: again about the failures in the language of scientific writings. – Language practice: observations and recommendations 3, riga: lu akadēmiskais apgāds, 13–19. strautiņa v., Šulce dz. 2009: Latvian language spelling and orthography, riga: raKa. strelēvica-ošiņa d. 2011: Why we want language to be correct: an insight into the history, theory and practice of prescriptivism, riga: lu Latvian Language Institute. Foreign words dictionary 2008: riga: source. Foreign words dictionary 1999: riga: jumava. Language practice: observations and recommendations 2005–2013: riga: Latvian Language Institute. vpsv 2007: Explanatory dictionary of basic terms in linguistics, riga: latvian language institute. Latvian Language Agency, riga: Latvian Language Agency. Internet access: <http://www.valoda.lv/> (accessed 9 October 2013). Decisions of the Latvian Language Expert Commission, riga: State Language Centre. Internet access: <http://www.vvc.gov.lv/advantagecms/lv/komisijas/lemumi. html> (accessed October 11, 2013). Latvian Language Experts Commission of the State Language Centre, Riga: State Language Centre. Internet access: <http://www.vvc.gov.lv/advantagecms/lv/ komisijas/lvek.html> (accessed 17 September 2013). Lithuanian Language Commission. Internet access: <http://vlkk.lt/> (accessed 12 September 2013). Gauta 2013 11 12 priimta 2013 12 20 topical issues oF usinG ForeiGn Words in tHe latvian lanGuaGe Summary nowadays, the term ‘foreign word’ is generally used in the following meaning: a word borrowed from another language and grammatically adapted to the system of the recipient language, the foreign origin of which (according to certain pho- 130 Kalbos Kultūra | 86 netic and/or morphological characteristics) is perceived by the majority of recipient language users. in order to reproduce a foreign word in a different language, it is assimilated on the basis of three principles: 1) phonetic assimilation; 2) morphological assimilation; 3) semantic assimilation – the borrowing keeps the original meaning, but the meaning in the recipient language can change. the most frequently used foreign words in a language are usually compiled in dictionaries of foreign words indicating the original language, giving explanation of the meaning and the specific features of their usage in the corresponding recipient language. at present, the latest issues of foreign language dictionaries published in latvia are (1999, 2005, 2008), which give the user an opportunity to check the spelling of foreign words and their meaning. the terminology commission and latvian language expert commission are the bodies that regularly make decisions on reproduction and spelling of foreign words. there are also such dictionaries in the lithuanian language – Tarptautinių žodžių žodynas (2007, 2008, 2010); they are also available on the internet, for example, http://www. zodziai.lt/, http://www.tzz.lt/ and others; decisions on the most important foreign word usage issues are taken by the lithuanian state language commission (valstybinė lietuvių kalbos komisija). lithuanian linguists (like in latvia) are worried about the rapid inflow of anglicisms into the language. in latvian a large part of foreign words are indeclinable, and hence we can assert that they were once not sufficiently adapted to the latvian language, for example, kino, radio, kakao, rokoko, komunikē, kapučīno, kivi, ampluā, ragū, auto, loto, moto, eiro. by contrast, lithuanians have more successfully managed most of these words and have fully adapted them to the lithuanian grammar system, for example, kinas, kakava, radijas, rokokas, komunikatas, kapučinas, euras. the analysed material shows that there will always be difficulties in reproducing foreign words, their spelling and usage (not only in the latvian language); they should be viewed from various aspects and the most appropriate decisions should be made in any given situation. KEYWORDS: foreign words, assimilation of foreign words, contemporary problems of the use of foreign words. dZintra Šulce University of Liepaja Kūrmajas prospekts 13, lv-3401 liepāja [email protected]