Why do we say that one language "borrows" a word from another?

Answer 1

I think 'adopts' is more appropriate word than 'borrows'.It means that you can take it while retaining the original version or part of it.

whereas 'borrows' must be accompany by returns.

Answer 2

The English language is a wonderful example of "borrowing" words. A significant portion of our language actually comes from words originating in German, French, Latin, and a host of other tongues.

The reason the word "borrows" is used is simple: the words didn't come from English, or were modified in the process of being Anglicized from whatever language they originated in. A more appropriate term would be "shared", as both languages use the word, the term, or phrase being "borrowed".

As the world metaphorically shrinks further, through the internet, air travel, television and cell phones, I think we'll see many more examples of words and phrases crossing over from their original language of birth into other tongues.

Answer 3

You have an excellent point. We could say that one language "gives" another word to another, but that implies that English speakers made a decision to give "automobile" to Native American speakers. We could say that two languages "share" a word, but that still implies that English speakers were generous to Native American speakers, an idea that Native Americans would laugh at. No, the correct word would be "take". Not "steal" because that implies criminal activity in the middle of the night. "Taking" occurs in broad daylight and there's nothing illegal about it. But alas, it's too late to change centuries of linguistic politeness.

Answer 4

Because people don't understand the full meaning of the words they apply to something else. A recent example of this is CLUELESS, which would correctly be used only this way: "The detective could find no evidence to go on; he had nothing to work with in trying to figure out the crime. He was clueless."

So is someone is CLUELESS, he can't be called stupid, which is how this word is being used.

Answer 5

Because the people there appropiate a word wholesale that expresses an idea. The French are in an uproar over Engish and American words.

Answer 6

Because "steels" is not nice...