Phonetic and Lexical Features of Words Borrowed from French into English

Abstract

This article delves into the phonetic and lexical characteristics of French loanwords in the English language, illustrating the complex interplay between these two historically intertwined tongues. It begins by exploring the rich historical background of English, emphasizing its Germanic roots and subsequent Latin, Norse, and particularly significant French influences. The paper then narrows its focus to scrutinize the phonetic adaptations of French loanwords in English, analyzing aspects such as stress patterns, vowel qualities, nasalization, and the treatment of final consonants. Additionally, the article examines the lexical features of these loanwords, including semantic fields, morphological adaptations, and the phenomenon of polysemy. Special attention is given to how these words have been integrated into different semantic fields like law, art, fashion, and cuisine, highlighting the cultural implications of these linguistic borrowings. The study employs a blend of qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, including expert interviews, case studies, corpus analysis, and surveys, to provide a comprehensive understanding of the subject. The article concludes by reflecting on the broader linguistic and cultural significance of these loanwords, offering insights into the dynamic nature of language evolution and cultural exchange.