The Foreign Contingent in English

The Foreign Contingent in English

Dr. Abdulkhaliq Alazzawie

Associate Professor of Linguistics

Department of Foreign Languages

English is a language made up of many different languages. There are many Greek and Latin prefixes and suffixes and words (for example "non sequitur", a noun of Latin origin; "antebellum", an adjective of Latin origin). Many medical and scientific words have Greek or Latin origins. 

Classical music terms are taken from Italian (opera, prima donna, adagio, andante, piano, forte, alla breve, alla cappella, crescendo, decrescendo, marcato, etc.).  Many food/dining-related words are taken from Italian (espresso, frittata, pasta, macaroni, fettucine, linguine, spaghetti, ravioli, lasagne, pizza, etc.) and French (bon bon, pastille, baguette, entree, entre-cote, maitre d'hotel or maitre d', hotelier,  sommelier, saute, soupcon, patisserie, cafe, cafe au lait, puree, flambe, au naturel, au gratin, viand, menu, a la carte, melange, meringue, consomme, amuse-bouche, canape, hors d'oeuvres, fondue, potage/pottage, pot-au-feu, ragout, roulade, coq au vin, cassoulet, ratatoille, omelette, poutine (French Canadian), brioche, eclair, crepe, crepe suzette, chou/choux pastry, creme brulee, mutton, beef (from French “boeuf”), glace, haute cuisine, gourmet, gourmand, nouvelle cuisine, piece de resistance, etc.).  "Piscine" is an adjective which means "of or concerning fish", but I do not know if it is used as a cooking term or not.    

Some fashion-related English words stem from French, especially to do with high fashion, style, decoration, or design, such as decor, maquette, pouffe, marquisette, jabot, pompom, poplin, ponceau, turquoise, decoupage, collage, haute couture, decolletage, decollete, couturier, coif or coiffure, maquillage, pompadour, froufrou, a la mode, and pret-a-porter.  

Many words to do with behaviour/proper conduct/manners, social interaction or stature, and cultured refinement stem from French, such as many ballet terms (plie, fouette, jete, pirouette,  paladin, courtier, courtesan, fief, au pair, entrepreneur, poseur, marquis, marquise, declasse, corps de ballet, corps diplomatique, courtesy, bon homie, esprit de corps, eclat (which means "social  distinction";"conspicuous success"), panache, debonair (having pleasant manners), debut, debutante, savoir vivre, savoir faire, foible, diplomacy or diplomat, demarche,milieu, creme de la creme, creme de menthe, coterie, brusque, churlish, repartee, nonchalant, demure, nuance, savant, liaison, politesse (formal politeness), obeisance, connaiseur, etiquette, de rigueur, and contretemps.  

Many terms used to refer to "fine living" or "living the high life" stem from French, such as bon vivant and joie de vivre.  Many foreign-originating parts of speech, words, and expressions are never substituted.  "Kindergarten" has German origins, and this is the usual term English-speaking countries use (in North America at any rate) for a child's first year of elementary school.  If someone says "coup de..., we expect to hear "grace" afterwards.  "Mot juste" means "the exactly right word or phrasing".  Of course, we can say the same thing in this case in an "English way", such as "That's not the right word I'm looking for." or "That's not the exact meaning I have in mind or wish to convey."   But, if you use the French version and start with "mot", you cannot switch to English or any other language.  Mind you, this is not a common term; most people would not know what you are talking about if you say "mot juste", "laissez-faire", "de rigueur", or mise-en-scene for that matter because English-speakers tend to use simple, common, everyday "English."  One may have better luck at being understood, using contingents with "coup de grace" among the more educated or well read since it is more commonly used.  

Regardless of the language of origin, the "foreign" as English, in part or whole, usually have quite specific meanings and usages.  English versions may or may not exist. However, often the "foreign contingents" are not substituted, especially when it comes to medical or scientific terminology.