Calque

Calque A calque, also known as a loan translation, is a word or phrase borrowed from another language by literal, word-for-word or root-for-root translation. This process involves translating the components of a word or phrase from the source language into the target language. Calques are a common phenomenon in language contact and can be found in many languages around the world.

Etymology

The term "calque" is derived from the French word "calquer," which means "to trace" or "to copy." The concept of calquing involves tracing the meaning of a word or phrase from one language and replicating it in another language.

Types of Calques

Calques can be categorized into several types based on the linguistic elements they translate:

• Lexical calques: These involve the direct translation of individual words. For example, the English phrase "skyscraper" is calqued into Spanish as "rascacielos" (literally "scrape-skies").
• Phrasal calques: These involve the translation of entire phrases or idiomatic expressions. For example, the English phrase "flea market" is calqued into French as "marché aux puces" (literally "market of fleas").
• Semantic calques: These involve the borrowing of a new meaning for an existing word. For example, the English word "mouse" (referring to a computer device) is a semantic calque in many languages.

Examples of Calques

Calques are prevalent in many languages. Some notable examples include:

• The English phrase "superman" is a calque of the German "Übermensch."
• The English term "beer garden" is a calque of the German "Biergarten."
• The Spanish word "baloncesto" (basketball) is a calque of the English "basketball."

Calques in Linguistics

In linguistics, calques are studied as part of language contact phenomena. They provide insights into how languages influence each other and how new words and expressions are formed. Calques can also reveal cultural exchanges and historical connections between language communities.

Related Concepts

Calques are related to other linguistic phenomena such as loanwords, code-switching, and pidgin and creole languages. Unlike loanwords, which are borrowed in their original form, calques involve translation and adaptation to the target language's structure.

See Also

• Loanword
• Language contact
• Code-switching
• Pidgin
• Creole language
• Translation