COMPUTER-MEDIATED COMMUNICATION AND INTERNATIONAL MORPHEMES

Abstract

Globalization, active internalization and progress in technology have intensified the impact that American English has over national languages. The impact can be seen in borrowing a big amount of computer-mediated communication (CMC) lexis from the English language. The processes mentioned need description and explanation which makes the article relevant. Materials and methods. Works concerning different aspects of lexical borrowing and peculiarities of CMC words are mentioned. CMC lexis derived from international morphemes is studied in the article. Qualitative evaluation, description and generalization are used in the study. Results. Three main groups of CMC lexis are distinguished: 1) computer terms directly borrowed from English by national languages, 2) general technical terms, 3) words of general lexis. Words of the two latter groups are often “internal” borrowings, that is they are metaphorised international words having been adapted by the Russian language to be used in other fields. These lexemes are derived with the use of the native mechanisms of the Russian language though in a manner similar to that of their English equivalents. Practical implications. Results of the study can be used in teaching Lexicology, Cross-cultural communication and in translation practice.