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Part of
Keys to the History of English: Diachronic linguistic change, morpho-syntax and lexicography
Edited by Thijs Porck, Moragh S. Gordon and Luisella Caon
[Current Issues in Linguistic Theory 363] 2024
► pp. 212–232

Investigating the dynamics of the lexicon

A socio-historical perspective of the borrowing of Yiddish words into English

| University of Basel

This chapter focuses on the lexical influence of Yiddish on English throughout its history. The findings rely on an analysis of the linguistic evidence in electronic dictionaries and corpora. Specific value will be accorded to the use of Yiddish borrowings in informal language. Yiddish has provided English with a number of terms relating to various semantic domains, ranging from gastronomy, faith and religion, to people and everyday life. An important objective is to provide an overview of the domains influenced by Yiddish over time. Particular attention will be given to socio-cultural and historical reasons that might explain the introduction and spread of Yiddish borrowings into different domains over the centuries, contributing to variation in the English lexicon.

Keywords: Yiddish influence on English throughout its history, language contact, lexicology, online dictionaries, corpora in lexicological research
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Previous studies on the impact of Yiddish on English
  • 3.Methodology
  • 4.Types of loan influences
  • 5.Subject areas influenced by Yiddish over the centuries
    • 5.1Discussion of the results
  • 6.Conclusion
  • Notes
  • References
Published online: 4 April 2024
DOI logo
https://doi.org/10.1075/cilt.363.10lan
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