Exercices C2 : les emprunts linguistiques en anglais (corrigé)

Ces exercices vous permettent de mettre en pratique vos connaissances sur les emprunts linguistiques en anglais, qu’ils viennent du français, du latin ou du grec. Testez votre capacité à les reconnaître et à les employer correctement.

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Exercice 1 — Identifier l'origine des emprunts linguistiques

Pour chaque mot anglais souligné dans la phrase, choisissez la langue d'origine correcte parmi les options proposées.

1. The government issued a communiqué regarding the new policy. What is the origin of the word 'communiqué'?
2. Her chronic fatigue was finally diagnosed after months of tests. What is the origin of the word 'chronic'?
3. The critics gave the debut performance a standing ovation. What is the origin of the word 'debut'?
4. The senator's veto blocked the proposed legislation. What is the origin of the word 'veto'?

Correction

1. C) French — 'communiqué' is a direct borrowing from French, meaning an official announcement.
2. B) Greek — 'chronic' derives from the Greek word 'khronikos', relating to time.
3. C) French — 'debut' is borrowed directly from French, originally meaning a first stroke or beginning.
4. D) Latin — 'veto' comes from Latin, meaning 'I forbid', used in Roman senatorial practice.

Exercice 2 — Associer les emprunts à leur langue source

Associez chaque mot anglais issu d'un emprunt linguistique à sa définition correcte et à sa langue d'origine.

1. Match the word 'naïve' with its correct definition and origin language.
2. Match the word 'phenomenon' with its correct definition and origin language.
3. Match the word 'genre' with its correct definition and origin language.
4. Match the word 'formula' with its correct definition and origin language.

Correction

1. A) 'Naïve' means overly simple or lacking experience, and it is a direct borrowing from French.
2. B) 'Phenomenon' refers to an observable fact or event, and it derives from the Greek word 'phainomenon'.
3. A) 'Genre' refers to a type or category, especially in art or literature, and it is borrowed from French.
4. B) 'Formula' refers to a fixed rule or pattern, often used in science or mathematics, and it comes from Latin.

Exercice 3 — Compléter avec le bon emprunt linguistique

Complétez chaque phrase avec le mot emprunté (issu du français, du latin ou du grec) qui convient le mieux au contexte.

1. The director's new film is a visual ___ that draws on ancient Greek mythology and French surrealist painting. (borrowed from Greek, meaning a grand, magnificent display)
2. After a lengthy negotiation, both parties reached a ___ that satisfied their respective demands. (borrowed from French, meaning a mutual agreement or settlement)
3. The professor argued that the modern education system suffers from a profound ___ of creative thinking. (borrowed from Latin, meaning a lack or shortage of something essential)
4. Her ___ approach to philosophy allowed her to synthesise ideas from contradictory schools of thought. (borrowed from Greek, meaning selecting from various sources)

Correction

1. The director's new film is a visual spectacle that draws on ancient Greek mythology and French surrealist painting.
2. After a lengthy negotiation, both parties reached a compromise that satisfied their respective demands.
3. The professor argued that the modern education system suffers from a profound deficit of creative thinking.
4. Her eclectic approach to philosophy allowed her to synthesise ideas from contradictory schools of thought.