One of the many aspects about languages I find interesting is the cross over usage of words and phrases that we use readily or instinctively when we speak or write (and I am not referring to Spanglish). Over time certain 'standard and official' foreign phrases or words have been adopted and used in everyday English, Spanish and French- the three languages I can vouch for but I know the same holds true for all other living languages. Foreign phrases and words are also considered to be universally used and understood regardless of the language of the speaker or reader.
One of the reasons why English phrases and words are used in other languages is because it's the most widely spoken lingua franca (a language spoken by those whose first language is not English). Latin, which is no longer a spoken language, is still visible through certain medium such as in the medical field, on currency, flags, on crests as a motto, names of flowers and in grammatical analysis when studying any romance language just to name a few areas.
Recently in a thread I used a foreign phrase, which is not characteristic of me but I do use them from time to time. However, I guess I am influenced too by this dynamic which I am completely in favor of since it does not contribute to the destruction of a language unlike Spanglish and other forms of language mixing and broken speech that we commonly hear today. As well, foreign phrases and words such as the ones I will reference below are commonly used in written and spoken speech.
Foreign phrases and words add flare to literature, or are used to emphasize a point or simply they don't have an equivalent translation or usage other than in their language of origin. As well, I see foreign phrases and words on menus, signs, commercial ads etc. All used with the same goal, which is to emphasize a point or to catch the reader's attention. However, incorrect usage innocently of a foreign phrase or word can be offensive, funny, ironic etc. ...Por lo tanto hay que tener cuidado.
My siblings and my peers are much stronger in this area of language than I am. I don't know as many as I should IMO and when I come across some of these foreign words or phrases (that are not one of the languages I speak) when reading I have to stop reading or look up the meaning later on. Sometimes it's easy to get the gist of the phrase, however it's always best to be sure of the meaning rather than try to interpret it thus changing the context of what's being read.
Here is a list (not exhaustive) of foreign words and phrases and their origin that I use and are commonly used in English. What I find interesting is the amount of French and Spanish (even Italian and Latin) used in everyday English.
1) ad hoc (Latin)- something impromptu, on the spur of the moment
2) ? deux (French)- anything for two. For example 'a meal for two'
3) adieu (French)- goodbye
4) ad infinitum (Latin)- no end, without end
5) adi?s (Spanish)- goodbye
6) ad nauseum (Latin)- to an annoying degree
7) aficionado (Spanish)- a fan of something, an enthusiast
8 ? la … (French) – the manner, the way in which something is done
9) ? la carte (French)- a dish that’s not part of a set menu
10) ? la mode (French)- in style or fashionable
11) al dente (Italian)- not cooked completely, not soft
12) amor m?o/ mis amores (Spanish)- my love
13) ap?ritif (French)- an alcoholic beverage before a meal
14) argot (French)- slang/colloquial jargon
15) arrivederci (Italian)- goodbye
16) au contraire (French) – on the contrary
17) auf Wiedersehen (German)- goodbye
18) au gratin (French) – food cooked or baked with breadcrumbs
19) au mieux (French)- at best
20) au naturel (French)- natural or naked
21) au revoir (French)- goodbye
22) autobahn (German) –highway
23) autopista (Spanish)- highway
24) autoroute (French) –highway
25) baguette (French)- French bread stick
26) bien entendu (French) – understood, 'of course' (in the sense of without having to ask)
27) bien s?r (French)- of course
28) blas? (French)- it’s hard to describe this one but along the lines of 'boring', 'dull', 'indifferent'
29) bodega (Spanish) – wine shop
30) bona fide (Latin)- genuine
31) bon app?tit (French)- enjoy your meal
32) bon march? (French) –cheap, a bargain
33) bonne chance (French) good luck
34) bon voyage (French)- have a good trip
…..I did this alphabetically. So this list is to be continued.
Au revoir,
LDG.
One of the reasons why English phrases and words are used in other languages is because it's the most widely spoken lingua franca (a language spoken by those whose first language is not English). Latin, which is no longer a spoken language, is still visible through certain medium such as in the medical field, on currency, flags, on crests as a motto, names of flowers and in grammatical analysis when studying any romance language just to name a few areas.
Recently in a thread I used a foreign phrase, which is not characteristic of me but I do use them from time to time. However, I guess I am influenced too by this dynamic which I am completely in favor of since it does not contribute to the destruction of a language unlike Spanglish and other forms of language mixing and broken speech that we commonly hear today. As well, foreign phrases and words such as the ones I will reference below are commonly used in written and spoken speech.
Foreign phrases and words add flare to literature, or are used to emphasize a point or simply they don't have an equivalent translation or usage other than in their language of origin. As well, I see foreign phrases and words on menus, signs, commercial ads etc. All used with the same goal, which is to emphasize a point or to catch the reader's attention. However, incorrect usage innocently of a foreign phrase or word can be offensive, funny, ironic etc. ...Por lo tanto hay que tener cuidado.
My siblings and my peers are much stronger in this area of language than I am. I don't know as many as I should IMO and when I come across some of these foreign words or phrases (that are not one of the languages I speak) when reading I have to stop reading or look up the meaning later on. Sometimes it's easy to get the gist of the phrase, however it's always best to be sure of the meaning rather than try to interpret it thus changing the context of what's being read.
Here is a list (not exhaustive) of foreign words and phrases and their origin that I use and are commonly used in English. What I find interesting is the amount of French and Spanish (even Italian and Latin) used in everyday English.
1) ad hoc (Latin)- something impromptu, on the spur of the moment
2) ? deux (French)- anything for two. For example 'a meal for two'
3) adieu (French)- goodbye
4) ad infinitum (Latin)- no end, without end
5) adi?s (Spanish)- goodbye
6) ad nauseum (Latin)- to an annoying degree
7) aficionado (Spanish)- a fan of something, an enthusiast
8 ? la … (French) – the manner, the way in which something is done
9) ? la carte (French)- a dish that’s not part of a set menu
10) ? la mode (French)- in style or fashionable
11) al dente (Italian)- not cooked completely, not soft
12) amor m?o/ mis amores (Spanish)- my love
13) ap?ritif (French)- an alcoholic beverage before a meal
14) argot (French)- slang/colloquial jargon
15) arrivederci (Italian)- goodbye
16) au contraire (French) – on the contrary
17) auf Wiedersehen (German)- goodbye
18) au gratin (French) – food cooked or baked with breadcrumbs
19) au mieux (French)- at best
20) au naturel (French)- natural or naked
21) au revoir (French)- goodbye
22) autobahn (German) –highway
23) autopista (Spanish)- highway
24) autoroute (French) –highway
25) baguette (French)- French bread stick
26) bien entendu (French) – understood, 'of course' (in the sense of without having to ask)
27) bien s?r (French)- of course
28) blas? (French)- it’s hard to describe this one but along the lines of 'boring', 'dull', 'indifferent'
29) bodega (Spanish) – wine shop
30) bona fide (Latin)- genuine
31) bon app?tit (French)- enjoy your meal
32) bon march? (French) –cheap, a bargain
33) bonne chance (French) good luck
34) bon voyage (French)- have a good trip
…..I did this alphabetically. So this list is to be continued.
Au revoir,
LDG.
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