On the Latest Development of Modern English Vocabulary
On the Latest Development of Modern English Vocabulary
Abstract：
As one of the three elements of language, vocabulary is sensitive to the fastest change. Modern English vocabulary distributed in many areas always keeps developing. Though scholars at home and abroad make great progress on English new words, it is far from satisfaction. This paper, which is based on the previous findings, begins with the definition of English new words and its study actuality. As new vocabulary is a mirror of social development, the source of its improvement distributes in more than ten semantic fields reflecting the ever-changing contemporary world in an all-round way. Besides, the paper investigates the formation of English new words which is on the basis of traditional word-formation rules and its unique feature. Lastly, the paper analyses the prospects of new English words which are characterized by continuous in number, various sources in borrowing and a tendency to be short in form. It is hoped that the present study will stimulate English learners’ interest in studying English new words and help them enlarge their vocabulary in order to meet the demand of new ideas, theories and science technology.
Key Words: English new words; definition; source; formation; characters
1. Introduction
The English language has become the international language of the world. In addition to the 400 million people speaking English as a first language, about 800 million use or study English as a second/ foreign language. As English grammar is relatively simple compared to other languages, it is the vast English vocabulary, which poses a real challenge in the quest to master the language (Pyles, T. & Algeo, J. 1982). The existence of English words is usually taken for granted by the speakers. However, to speak and understand a language means knowing the vocabulary of that language.
According to the founder of modern linguistics Bloomfield (1933), all languages are dynamic rather than
Abstract：
As one of the three elements of language, vocabulary is sensitive to the fastest change. Modern English vocabulary distributed in many areas always keeps developing. Though scholars at home and abroad make great progress on English new words, it is far from satisfaction. This paper, which is based on the previous findings, begins with the definition of English new words and its study actuality. As new vocabulary is a mirror of social development, the source of its improvement distributes in more than ten semantic fields reflecting the ever-changing contemporary world in an all-round way. Besides, the paper investigates the formation of English new words which is on the basis of traditional word-formation rules and its unique feature. Lastly, the paper analyses the prospects of new English words which are characterized by continuous in number, various sources in borrowing and a tendency to be short in form. It is hoped that the present study will stimulate English learners’ interest in studying English new words and help them enlarge their vocabulary in order to meet the demand of new ideas, theories and science technology.
Key Words: English new words; definition; source; formation; characters
1. Introduction
The English language has become the international language of the world. In addition to the 400 million people speaking English as a first language, about 800 million use or study English as a second/ foreign language. As English grammar is relatively simple compared to other languages, it is the vast English vocabulary, which poses a real challenge in the quest to master the language (Pyles, T. & Algeo, J. 1982). The existence of English words is usually taken for granted by the speakers. However, to speak and understand a language means knowing the vocabulary of that language.
According to the founder of modern linguistics Bloomfield (1933), all languages are dynamic rather than
References: Borrowings into English. (n.d.). Retrieved March 10, 2008, from http:// www.ask oxford.com/ globalenglish/ borrowings Bloomfield, L. 1933. Language. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. Erin, M. (Ed.). 2003. Oxford Essential Dictionary of New Words. New York: Berkley Pub. Group. Mead, L. 1902. Word-Coinage: Being an Inquiry into Recent Neologisms; also, A Brief Study of Literary Style, Slang, and Provincialisms. New York: Thomas Y. Crowell& Co. Michael Quinion. 1998, January. Some new words from the Oxford Archives. Retrieved Nov. 19, 2007, form http://www.worldwidewords.org/articles/ wordsof97.html Pei, M. 1967. English in 2061: A Forecast. New York: Harper & Row. Pyles, T. & Algeo, J. 1982. The Origins and Development of the English Language. New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich.