Etymology is a branch of linguistics that deals with origin and development of words and with comparison of similar words or cognates, in different languages of the same language group. In its relation with the other subdivisions of linguistics, etymology stands closest to phonology, the science of speech sounds. It is also a fact that even before the development of phonetic laws, no scientific or systematic means of tracing the derivations of words existed.
Among the group of languages being used the world over is English which is considered universal. Be it in oral or written form, majority of individuals, communities, societies, and nations with differing language usage find it convenient and practical to employ English in their communication process. In terms of bridging and connecting links, it has provided the human race a means to facilitate understanding with the exchange of ideas in more ways than one. Surprisingly, a contributory factor that is least to consider when it comes to new words being added to the vocabulary is neologism.
Neologism is a classified noun which is defined as a new word usage, or expression. In psychology the root of neologism can be traced when a new word is coined by a person with schizophrenia, a disorder characterized by the loss of contact with the environment with respect to feelings, thoughts, perceptions and behaviors.
At first glance, the coined word is meaningless except to the coiner. Ironically, neologism has become a source of new entry words in the English language wherein many of them are already accepted in the official inventory of words in various dictionaries.
In the 14th century the word “ouch” was defined as a clasp or a brooch, which later became obsolete to be refined and mean as a setting for a precious stone in jewelries and ornaments. Then out of nowhere, neologism processed it as an interjection of use to express a feeling of sudden pain in 1838.
Nowadays, words are coined in the semblance of the neologism process. Let us expect that there will more of them that will make it to the list. Let us take the case of “imeldific” which actually originated from the Philippines is used to express about an extravagant lifestyle. No one would really know, but “bes” and “bestie” have the potential in making it as part of universal grammar as terms in friendship endearment. Learning English is flipping words, for the next new vocabulary word for study might be ours as in the entry of “google” in 2001.
By: ELIZABETH B. LICUANAN | Teacher III | Bataan National High School | City of Balanga, BATAAN
