The global influence of English: the influence of vocabulary on the languages of the world

Анотація

This article examines the concept of the global lexical influence of the English language. It establishes that English, as the dominant language of international communication, science, and technology, has significantly influenced the vocabulary of many languages around the world. This phenomenon is examined through the analysis of the mechanisms of lexical borrowing, including direct borrowing, loan translation, semantic extension, and phonetic adaptation. The study analyzes the key linguistic, cultural, and technological factors contributing to the global spread of English vocabulary. It identifies the main types and functions of borrowings, highlighting their role in enriching recipient languages. Attention is paid to the sociolinguistic and globalization processes that determine the integration of English lexical elements into other languages. In the era of globalization, English has become not only the language of international communication, science, and commerce, but also the dominant force in shaping the vocabulary of many world languages. The presented article examines the global lexical influence of English, analyzing how and why English words are borrowed and integrated into other languages. It focuses on the mechanisms of lexical borrowing, the social and technological factors that determine the course of this trend, and the linguistic and cultural consequences that result from it. The main mechanism of lexical influence is direct borrowing, through which English words are adopted with little or no change. Words such as “computer", “limit”, "marketing", "blog", and "chat" associated with technology, business, pop culture, and online communication are now widely used in many languages. This phenomenon reflects not only the global dominance of English-speaking economies and technology industries, but also the prestige associated with the English vocabulary in many societies. Another important factor contributing to the lexical spread of English is the globalization of the media. English-language films, television shows, music, and digital content are often viewed around the world without being fully localized. As a result, viewers are often exposed to English vocabulary in entertainment contexts, leading to the subconscious or conscious adoption of these words into everyday conversation. Social media platforms and video-sharing sites further accelerate this process, especially among younger generations who are more likely to confuse English words with words from their native language. Technological innovation also plays a central role. Most of the world's software interfaces, digital tools, and programming environments are built in English or use English vocabulary. As a result, professionals in fields such as information technology, engineering, and science often use English vocabulary, regardless of their native language. This technological reliance reinforces the global spread of English words in professional and academic discourse. However, the spread of English vocabulary is not without controversy. Critics argue that excessive borrowing can threaten linguistic diversity and cultural identity.