Definition

Noun: A calque formation is a word or phrase created by translating, element by element, the parts of an expression from one language into another. This process results in a new lexical item in the target language that directly mirrors the structure and meaning of the source expression.

Usage

A calque formation is a specific type of loan translation. It is used in linguistics to describe the process and result of borrowing an expression through literal translation rather than through direct adoption of the foreign word's sounds (which is called a "loanword").

Examples

• The English word "superman" is a calque formation of the German "Übermensch" (from = over/super + = man).
• The English phrase "it goes without saying" is considered a calque formation from the French "ça va sans dire".
• "Brainwashing" is a calque formation from the Chinese "xǐ nǎo" (洗脑), which literally means "wash brain".

Advanced Usage

• Linguistic Analysis: In academic linguistics, the study of calque formations helps trace cultural and intellectual influences between languages and societies.
• Distinction from Loanwords: It is crucial to distinguish a calque formation (a translated borrowing) from a loanword (a direct phonetic borrowing). For example, "kindergarten" from German is a loanword, while "superman" from the same language is a calque formation.

Variants and Related Words

• Calque (n): The more common, shorter term for a calque formation. It can refer to the product itself.
  • "Skyscraper" is a calque from the French "gratte-ciel."
• Loan Translation (n): A fully synonymous term for calque or calque formation.
• Semantic Calque (n): A specific type where only the meaning of a word or phrase is extended based on a foreign model, not its component parts. For example, the English word "mouse" for a computer device is a semantic calque based on the visual resemblance, not a direct translation of a multi-word phrase.

Synonyms

• Loan translation
• Translation borrowing

Related Phrases and Concepts

• To calque (v): The act of creating a calque.
  • Many English technological terms were calqued from Latin or Greek roots.
• Calquing (n/gerund): The process of forming calques.
  • Calquing is a common phenomenon in language contact situations.

Noun

1. an expression introduced into one language by translating it from another language
   • `superman' is a calque for the German `Ubermensch'