The Evolution of Language: Neologisms in Russian and Uzbek

R. R. Biksalieva

Navoi Innovations University, Navoiy, Uzbekistan

Keywords: Neologism, Neology, Neography, Borrowing Neologisms, Semantic Neologisms.

Abstract: The examination of neologism-related issues is a focal point in contemporary linguistics. Key concerns

revolve around defining and assessing neologisms, as well as delineating all lexical phenomena encompassed

by this concept. Emphasis is also placed on the genesis of neologisms, their integration into a language's

lexicon, and their practical use. This article delves into the study of neology, scrutinizing the definition and

categorization of neologisms in both Russian and Uzbek languages, which vary due to distinct approaches

and concepts. By analysing the scholarly discourse of global and Uzbek experts, it is argued that a neologism

in any language should ideally be unambiguous, conceptually motivated, concise, and capable of fitting into

the word-formation structure, while aligning with phonetic and morphological systems. However, no single

criterion can solely ensure effective communication. Notably, neologisms are dissected concerning their

formation, revealing three main groups: borrowed neologisms, word-forming, and semantic neologisms.

1 INTRODUCTION

Globalization and scientific progress have catalysed a

"neological explosion" across numerous national

languages, including Russian. This surge in

neologisms reflects the evolving social and cultural

landscape influenced by extralinguistic factors. As

societies transition, interdisciplinary research

becomes imperative to understand language changes

comprehensively. Such studies elucidate trends in

linguistic evolution, societal transformations'

linguistic reflections, influx of foreign borrowings,

and the language's ecological state.

The 20th century marked the initiation of active

exploration into Russian neologisms, coinciding with

the rise of the information society. This period

witnessed profound political, economic, scientific,

and technological shifts, profoundly shaping the

modern Russian lexicon. As a result, the Russian

language necessitated specialised scrutiny to grasp its

growth and development within this dynamic milieu

(Ermakova 2012, et al.).

The emergence of an information-driven society

spurred radical changes across various sectors,

thereby influencing linguistic evolution in Russian.

This necessitated an intensified focus on

comprehensively studying the language's vocabulary

expansion. Analysing neologisms allows for insights

into the language's responsiveness to societal shifts,

its adaptation to technological advancements, and its

integration of foreign influences (Krysin 2012, et al.).

Such research illuminates crucial aspects of linguistic

ecology, aiding in understanding language's role as a

mirror of societal change.

2 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

The research methodology adopted here is rooted in

an analysis of language transformations across

various levels, encompassing phonetic, word-

formation, morphological, lexical, and grammatical

dimensions. It recognises the interconnectedness and

mutual recognition of all elements within the lexical-

semantic system, highlighting the internal regular

connections prevalent throughout the vocabulary.

The terminology of "neologism" is central to this

methodology, denoting the most common term in

modern linguistic discourse for describing new

linguistic phenomena and processes. Additionally,

the concept of "innovation" is employed to

encompass new word-forming nominative units,

reflecting the dynamic nature of language evolution.

This study employs a multidisciplinary approach

to understanding neologisms, acknowledging their

significance both as linguistic phenomena and as

cultural markers. Neologisms are viewed as diverse

and heterogeneous linguistic innovations reflecting

998

Biksalieva, R.

The Evolution of Language: Neologisms in Russian and Uzbek.

DOI: 10.5220/0012941600003882

Paper published under CC license (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)

In Proceedings of the 2nd Pamir Transboundary Conference for Sustainable Societies (PAMIR-2 2023), pages 998-1000

ISBN: 978-989-758-723-8

societal development and meeting communicative

needs. The methodology embraces psycholinguistic

perspectives, which link the emergence of new words

with the acquisition of new knowledge and highlight

the social significance of innovation. Furthermore, it

recognises the interchangeable use of terms such as

"innovations," "new formations," and "neologisms"

to describe novel lexical units, underscoring the

dynamic nature of language adaptation and evolution.

3 RESULT AND DISCUSSION

The concept of "neologism" has roots dating back to

F. Toll's notation in the "Desk Dictionary for

References in All Branches of Knowledge" (1864), as

noted by S.I. Alatortseva. E.V. Senko contextualizes

neologisms within the framework of societal

development, emphasizing their emergence as a

response to evolving linguistic and societal needs.

However, despite its historical recognition, a precise

scientific definition of neologism remains elusive.

Various scholars offer definitions of neologism,

ranging from the creation of new words or phrases for

novel concepts to the inclusion of lexico-semantic

variants or borrowed terms. T.V. Jerebilo outlines the

broad and narrow senses of neologism, encompassing

lexical, derivational, phonetic, morphological, and

syntactic innovations. Nonetheless, E.V. Rosen

criticizes the term's vagueness in modern science,

suggesting its inadequacy in encompassing semantic

shifts in existing words.

Debate persists among researchers regarding the

classification of neologisms, with some advocating

for the inclusion of non-verbal units like morphemes

and phrases, while others, like L.V. Shalina, argue for

their exclusion. Nevertheless, S.I. Alatortseva

advocates for a broader understanding, encompassing

not just new words but also new meanings and

combinations within a given historical period.

N.Z. Kotelova offers criteria to specify

neologisms, including temporal existence, linguistic

space, type of novelty, and structural features. L.Yu.

Kasyanova expands on this, proposing additional

criteria such as chronological, local, psycholinguistic,

sociolinguistic, functional, and statistical dimensions,

along with consideration of their absence in existing

dictionaries. These collective features help

distinguish neologisms from other lexical units and

highlight their evolving nature within language

systems.

Neologisms, coined to denote emerging concepts

within a culture, encompass various aspects of life,

from politics to medicine. However, the term

"neologism" suffers from semantic complexity due to

the inherent variability in defining what is "new" or

"old". This linguistic unit's classification is

multifaceted, with scholars like T.V. Popova, L.V.

Raciburskaya, and D.V. Gugunava proposing

categories such as borrowing, semantic, and

derivational neologisms. Borrowings, contested by

some researchers, are acknowledged as innovations

by others, enriching languages with new vocabulary.

Semantic neologisms denote new meanings attributed

to existing words and phrases, often arising through

metaphorization or semantic shifts.

Word-formation neologisms, generated through

the mechanisms of the Russian language,

predominantly emerge through affixation and

compounding. They constitute a significant portion of

the modern Russian neological vocabulary.

Classifications by linguists such as S.I.

Alatortseva and I.B. Golub provide further insight

into the diversity of neologisms, considering factors

like form, novelty, method of nomination, and

duration of existence. Stylistic neologisms, a subtype

identified by Golub, are characterised by their

evaluative nature, reflecting the speaker's attitude

towards a concept. While initially vivid in expressive

colouring, frequent usage can lead to their stylistic

neutralisation.

In summary, the study of neologisms reveals the

dynamic nature of language evolution, influenced by

cultural, social, and linguistic factors. From borrowed

words to internally formed innovations, neologisms

reflect the constant adaptation and expansion of

vocabularies to articulate contemporary realities and

concepts.

4 CONCLUSION

The exploration of neologisms demonstrates the

intricate interplay between language and societal

evolution. While tracing its historical roots to F. Toll's

notation in the 19th century, scholars like E.V. Senko

and T.V. Jerebilo have emphasised the dynamic

nature of neologisms, which respond to shifting

linguistic and societal needs. Despite the elusiveness

of a precise scientific definition, researchers such as

N.Z. Kotelova and L.Yu. Kasyanova offer criteria to

distinguish neologisms, shedding light on their

temporal, linguistic, and structural features. This

collective understanding underscores the

multifaceted nature of neologisms, encompassing not

only new words but also new meanings and

combinations within a given historical context.

The Evolution of Language: Neologisms in Russian and Uzbek

999

Furthermore, the classifications proposed by

linguists like I.B. Golub illuminate the diversity of

neologisms, considering factors such as form,

novelty, and method of nomination. Stylistic

neologisms, identified as a subtype, highlight the

evaluative nature of language, where expressions

reflect the speaker's stance towards particular

concepts. Through this lens, neologisms emerge as

vital indicators of linguistic dynamism, reflecting the

constant adaptation and expansion of vocabularies to

articulate contemporary realities and concepts, thus

underscoring the dynamic nature of language

evolution influenced by cultural, social, and linguistic

dynamics.

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Zherebilo, T. V. (2016). Dictionary of linguistic terms and

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Kadyrova, L. D. (2014). Hybrid neonominations in the

modern mass media discourse: semantic-derivational

aspect (Doctoral dissertation, Simferopol, 10.02.01).

Kotelova, N. Z. (2015). The first experience of

lexicographic description of Russian neologisms. In

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Krysin, L. P. (2012). Words-foreigners in Russian guise.

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