Calqued meaning

Calqued means a word or phrase borrowed from another language, often translated literally.


Calqued definitions

Word backwards deuqlac
Part of speech The part of speech of the word "calqued" is a verb.
Syllabic division The syllable separation of the word "calqued" is cal-qued.
Plural The plural of the word calqued is calqued.
Total letters 7
Vogais (3) a,u,e
Consonants (4) c,l,q,d

Calqued refers to the process of borrowing a word or phrase from one language and translating it directly into another language. This linguistic phenomenon often occurs when a specific concept or expression does not have an equivalent term in the target language.

Origins of Calqued

The practice of calquing has been prevalent throughout history as languages have interacted and influenced each other. It can be seen in various language pairs and is a natural consequence of cultural exchange and communication between different societies.

Examples of Calqued Terms

One common example of calqued terms is the translation of "skyscraper" from English to French. The French language calqued the term to create "gratte-ciel," which directly translates to "scraper of the sky." Similarly, the English term "brainwash" was calqued into Chinese as "xǐ năo" which literally translates to "wash brain."

Impact on Language and Communication

Calqued terms can have a significant impact on language and communication. While they allow for the expression of new ideas and concepts, they may also lead to misunderstandings or misinterpretations due to differences in cultural connotations or linguistic nuances.

Furthermore, the use of calqued terms can enrich a language by incorporating foreign expressions and adapting them to fit the linguistic structure of the target language. This process of linguistic borrowing contributes to the dynamic evolution of languages over time.

Challenges and Considerations

When using calqued terms, it is essential to consider the cultural context and potential implications of the borrowed expression. Translating a word or phrase directly may not always capture the full meaning or intent behind the original term, leading to potential inaccuracies or confusion in communication.

Overall, calquing serves as a fascinating linguistic phenomenon that highlights the intricate interplay between languages and the creativity involved in adapting foreign expressions to enrich and expand the vocabulary of a language.


Calqued Examples

  1. The phrase "cul-de-sac" is a calqued term from French meaning "bottom of a bag."
  2. The expression "end of the day" is calqued from similar phrases in other languages where the day's end is a metaphor for conclusion.
  3. The term "brainwash" is calqued from Chinese words meaning "brain" and "wash" to describe the act of influencing someone's thoughts.
  4. The word "butterfly" is a calqued form of the Old English term "butterfloege" which means "butter-flying insect."
  5. The phrase "toothpaste" is a calqued translation of similar terms in other languages that describe a paste used for cleaning teeth.
  6. The term "hardware" in computing is a calqued translation from German that refers to physical components of a computer system.
  7. The term "chopsticks" is a calqued translation from Chinese words meaning "quick" and "pliers" to describe the utensils used for eating.
  8. The word "passport" is a calqued term from French meaning "to pass through a port," reflecting its original purpose for travel documentation.
  9. The term "skyscraper" is a calqued translation of similar words in other languages referring to tall buildings that seem to touch the sky.
  10. The phrase "broken heart" is a calqued expression from multiple languages that metaphorically describes emotional pain.


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  • Updated 01/07/2024 - 05:22:54