UDC

81’373.45

DOI

10.17238/issn2227-6564.2019.6.56

Authors

Jerome Baghana
Belgorod National Research University; ul. Pobedy 85, Belgorod, 308015, Russian Federation;
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6061-3288 e-mail: baghana@bsu.edu.ru
Tat’yana g. Voloshina
Belgorod National Research University; ul. Pobedy 85, Belgorod, 308015, Russian Federation;
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6532-1572 e-mail: tatianavoloshina@rambler.ru

Abstract

This article studies the theoretical questions concerning the interrelation of such linguistic phenomena as borrowing and interference within the framework of contact linguistics. The authors analyse the theoretical foundations of these two concepts, which describe the enrichment of the vocabulary of a language by borrowing words from other languages, including processes that change the meaning of words. A critical analysis of the existing material reveals conflicting ideas in the variety of linguistic approaches over different periods of time. The main focus of the research is on the criteria for the presentation of the basic features necessary to identify the common and distinguishing characteristics of the analysed definitions. It is pointed out that, in structural terms, a loanword functions as an unnatural element, which then assimilates into the recipient language. Interference, on the other hand, is characterised by changes in the structure of words or concepts and varies in intensity across different social groups depending on the level of foreign language proficiency (the level of interference tends to be higher in poorly educated people). It should be noted that interference typically occurs when a speaker perceives a word in his or her native language to be an international word. Under external influences, interference is capable of changing certain elements and incorporating some other elements within the structure of a language.

Keywords

borrowing, interference, language contact, bilingualism, linguistic variation

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