Calques meaning

Calques are loan translations where a word or phrase in one language is translated into another language by directly translating each individual word.


Calques definitions

Word backwards seuqlac
Part of speech The word "calques" is a noun.
Syllabic division cal-ques
Plural The plural of the word "calque" is "calques".
Total letters 7
Vogais (3) a,u,e
Consonants (4) c,l,q,s

What are Calques?

Calques, also known as loan translations, are words or phrases borrowed from one language and translated literally into another language. This process involves taking a phrase from one language and dissecting it into its component parts to create a new term in another language. Calques are commonly used when a direct translation of a concept does not exist in the target language.

Examples of Calques

One common example of a calque is the term "skyscraper" in English, which is a direct translation of the French term "gratte-ciel." Another example is the term "loanword," which is a calque of the German word "Lehnwort." These examples demonstrate how calques can be found across different languages and cultures.

Usage of Calques

Calques are often used in technical fields such as science, technology, and law, where terms may not have direct equivalents in other languages. By borrowing concepts and translating them literally, speakers of different languages can communicate complex ideas effectively. However, calques can also lead to confusion or misunderstanding if not used accurately.

Benefits and Challenges of Calques

One benefit of using calques is that they allow for the expansion of a language's vocabulary and the adoption of new concepts from other cultures. On the other hand, calques can also be challenging to understand for non-native speakers, as the literal translation may not capture the full meaning or nuances of the original term.

Conclusion

Calques play a significant role in language borrowing and adaptation, allowing speakers of different languages to communicate effectively across cultural and linguistic boundaries. While they have both benefits and challenges, calques continue to enrich and diversify languages around the world.


Calques Examples

  1. He used a calque of the French phrase "raison d'ĂȘtre" in his speech.
  2. The term "flesh and blood" is a calque of the Latin expression "caro et sanguis".
  3. She often incorporates calques from Spanish into her English writing.
  4. The linguist noticed several calques from German in the student's essay.
  5. The professor explained the concept of calques during the linguistics lecture.
  6. He translated the Italian idiom into English using a calque structure.
  7. The book contains many calques from Japanese that add authenticity to the dialogue.
  8. When learning a new language, it's important to understand the difference between borrowing and calquing.
  9. The language enthusiast enjoys finding calques in different languages and studying their origins.
  10. The author deliberately used calques to preserve the cultural nuances of the original text.


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  • Updated 01/07/2024 - 05:23:08