Exercises C2 : Linguistic borrowings in English (answers)

These exercises are based on the course ‘Linguistic borrowings in English’, which traces loanwords from Arabic, Japanese, and beyond. Put your C2 vocabulary knowledge to the test!

→ See the course : Linguistic borrowings in English : complete course

Exercice 1 — Identifying the Source Language of Borrowings

Choose the correct origin language for each loanword discussed in the course.

1. Which language did the word 'algebra' enter English from?
2. From which language did English borrow the word 'karaoke'?
3. The English word 'cotton' is historically traced back to which language family?
4. Which of the following best describes a 'loanword' in the context of linguistic borrowings?

Correction

1. B) Arabic — the word 'algebra' entered English from Arabic, derived from 'al-jabr', meaning the reunion of broken parts.
2. C) Japanese — 'karaoke' is a Japanese borrowing, combining 'kara' (empty) and 'oke' (orchestra).
3. B) Semitic, via Arabic — 'cotton' reached English through Arabic 'qutn', making it a Semitic borrowing transmitted via Arabic.
4. B) A word adopted from another language with little or no modification — loanwords are taken from a source language and integrated into the borrowing language, often retaining their original form.

Exercice 2 — Matching Loanwords to Their Domains and Origins

Match each loanword to its correct domain of use and source language, as presented in the course.

1. Match the word 'algebra' to its domain of use and source language.
2. Match the word 'karaoke' to its domain of use and source language.
3. Match the word 'cotton' to its domain of use and source language.
4. Match the word 'loanword' itself to its linguistic domain and the concept it describes.

Correction

1. 'Algebra' belongs to the domain of mathematics and was borrowed from Arabic, illustrating how medieval Arab scholars transmitted scientific knowledge to the Western world.
2. 'Karaoke' belongs to the domain of entertainment and popular culture, and was borrowed from Japanese, reflecting the global influence of Japanese leisure culture.
3. 'Cotton' belongs to the domain of textiles and trade, and was borrowed from Arabic, highlighting the central role of Arab merchants in medieval commerce.
4. 'Loanword' belongs to the domain of linguistics and etymology, and it describes any word that English — or any language — has adopted from a foreign source, integrating it into its own lexicon.

Exercice 3 — Completing Sentences on Linguistic Borrowings

Fill in the blank with the most appropriate word or phrase, based on what you learned in the course about linguistic borrowings in English.

1. The word 'algebra' is one of the most well-known English borrowings from ___, reflecting the profound influence of Arab scholars on medieval European science.
2. A word that is taken from another language and incorporated into English with little or no phonological change is known as a ___.
3. 'Karaoke', now widely used in English-speaking countries, was originally borrowed from ___, a language that has contributed numerous terms related to technology and popular culture.
4. Linguistic borrowings demonstrate that English is not a ___ language but rather a rich, evolving mosaic shaped by centuries of cultural and commercial exchange.

Correction

1. The word 'algebra' is one of the most well-known English borrowings from Arabic, reflecting the profound influence of Arab scholars on medieval European science.
2. A word that is taken from another language and incorporated into English with little or no phonological change is known as a loanword.
3. 'Karaoke', now widely used in English-speaking countries, was originally borrowed from Japanese, a language that has contributed numerous terms related to technology and popular culture.
4. Linguistic borrowings demonstrate that English is not a static language but rather a rich, evolving mosaic shaped by centuries of cultural and commercial exchange.