Vocabulary

Origin of words

As a linguist fascinated by etymology (the history and developments of words), I am in accord with the views expressed by Johan Jaafar in his article ‘Ancient Greeks enriched our word power’ (NST 23/10/2010). 

As pointed out by the writer, the ancient Greek language has truly enriched not only the vocabulary of the English Language but also vocabularies of many other languages of the world, including the Malay Language. Vocabularies of language grow and develop by borrowing words. 

If we look at the etymology of the Greek words in Malay, many of these words entered the Malay Language through English Language. For example, the words like ‘academic, biography, catalyst, democracy, economy, fantasy’, and many more has now found in the modern Malay vocabulary. 

In borrowing, words undergo sound changes before it is adapted into any languages.  The Greek word ‘armonia’ became ‘harmony’ in English and ‘harmoni’ in Malay. In borrowing, words in the passage of time undergo changes not only in their form, but also their meanings.

For survival of any language, it has to borrow to ensure its endurance, and if borrowing is shunned, the language will soon become extinct.  Like any other developing language, the Malay Language for example has borrowed voluminously from many languages including the ancient Sanskrit language, Arab, Persian, Hindi, Tamil, Dutch, Portuguese and Tamil, and of late the English Language. Borrowing should not be considered a feebleness of a language, but rather a way to ensure survival and continuity of the language. Language need to borrow to avoid becoming an extinct language.