Portuguese EN 9th grade: Neologism and Archaism
Neologismo (Neology)
It is the process of forming new words. The development of knowledge in science and technology, the creation of new objects, and the appearance of new expressions in conversation or in certain communication media, together with the fact that a living language is constantly changing, allow the formation of neologisms.
Neologism (neo = novo (new) + logos = palavras (word)):
A word created to represent new realities (objects or ideas).
Words such as telemóvel (mobile phone), internet, and automóvel (automobile) were once perceived by speakers as neologisms because the realities they represented were new. Today we recognize words such as deletar (delete) and twittar (tweet) as neologisms.
A neologism is different from linguistic creativity that often characterizes some authors.
Ex.: gouvarinhar (a word created by Eça de Queirós from the character Gouvarinho in Os Maias).
However, if a word created by an author begins to be used and understood by speakers of a language, it becomes a neologism.
Arcaísmo (Archaism)
A word or expression that has fallen out of use, meaning it is no longer commonly used by speakers of a language.
Examples:
soer – costumar (to be accustomed)
asinha – depressa (quickly)
partimento – partida (departure)
à guisa de – à maneira de (in the manner of)
Did you know?