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THE INFLUENCE OF ENGLISH ON MODERN GERMAN: ANGLICISMS
Kimyonazarova Feruza
Uzbekistan State World Language University
supervisor:
Zokirova Shohiba
Abstract:
This study explores the influence of English on the German language, focusing on
lexical borrowing and domain loss following World War II. Through a qualitative analysis of
scholarly literature, the research identifies key trends in the increasing use of Anglicisms in
German, particularly since the 1990s. The findings reveal that English has significantly
penetrated various domains of German society, including politics, business, academia, and
popular culture. Evidence of domain loss highlights the gradual shift towards English as the
primary medium in specialized fields. The study concludes that English has initiated
profound structural and functional changes in Germany, emphasizing the need for continued
monitoring and potential language policy interventions to maintain Germany’s
comprehensive communicative functions.
Keywords:
English influence, Anglicisms, German language, domain loss, language contact,
globalization, English borrowings.
Introduction
Globalization and technological progress have significantly intensified linguistic
exchanges, with English exerting a strong influence on Modern German. As English has
become the global language of communication and innovation, numerous Anglicisms have
entered German across media, technology, business, and everyday speech. This linguistic
shift has sparked debates regarding language enrichment versus concerns over cultural and
linguistic identity.
The study examines the extent and domains of Anglicism usage in Modern German,
explores the sociocultural factors driving their adoption, and analyzes ongoing academic
discussions about their impact on the development of the German language.
Literature review
In the years following World War II, the cultural and linguistic influence experienced
remarkable expansion. English has become widely used in many facets of life, especially
since the 1990s. As a result, all German speakers today use English words in their daily
conversations. Others enter the German language and eventually cease to be identifiable as
anglicisations because they have lost their exogenous characteristics and have become an
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
ISSN: 2692-5206, Impact Factor: 12,23
American Academic publishers, volume 05, issue 04,2025
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page 1334
integrated, habitual part of the language system (cf.Bursamova, 2010, p. 218), whereas some
of those lexemes are only used temporarily, in specific restricted areas, or for specific
purposes, such as in advertising (cf. Busse, 2001, p. 131 f.). Although the post-war period
represents a critical juncture for the proliferation of Anglicisms, it is important to recognize
that the foundations of English influence on German were laid much earlier. Already during
the nineteenth-century Industrial Age, England had reasserted itself as a major political and
cultural model, particularly in the context of democratic movements. This led to the adoption
of English lexical items such as “Demonstration”, Radical”, and “Imperialism” within
German political discourse. By the end of the century, English had become so important that
it began to undermine French’s long-standing dominance as the social prestige code.
Gentleman, Snob, and Club are examples of borrowings that highlight the high social
standing of English, especially in Berlin (Hilgendorf 2007). Despite some evidence
suggesting that their growth may have slowed recently, the number of Anglicisms in the
German language has increased dramatically since the end of World War II (Bursamova,
2010; Onysko, 2007). Simultaneously, there was a significant surge in scholarly interest in
the usage and prevalence of Anglicisations in the German language (Onysko, 2007).
According to Barbe 2004), estimates of the percentage of Anglicisations in modern German
range from 8% to 17%, demonstrating the considerable impact English has had. The process
of internationalization and Anglicization has permeated various sectors of German society.
For instance, an increasing number of German scholarly publications are now published in
English, and some even include English terms like “European” in their titles to appear more
international and appealing to a broader readership (Hilgendorf, 2007). This trend is evident
even within the “Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Sprachwissenschaft” (German Society for
Linguistics), where, during a 2007 retreat, 152 out of 180 presentations were conducted in
English (Schneider, 2008). In the business sector, job titles and terms related to international
economics are increasingly being translated into English (Hilgendorf, 2007). Additionally,
English is particularly prevalent in consumption-related contexts such as shopping and
advertising (Yang, 1990; Pacholski & Laskowski, 2006). The idea of domain loss has
become a central concept in scholarly discussions on the effects of English on other
Germanic languages, particularly the Nordic languages. Domain loss is conceptualized in two
interconnected ways; it refers to lexical borrowing on one hand, and the transition from the
native tongue to English in certain specialized fields on the other (Hultgren,2013, p. 168).
Large-scale lexical borrowing often precedes domain shifts to the dominant language, leading
scholars like Hultgren (2013, p. 169) to describe these phenomena as “two sides of the same
coin,” despite some linguistic attempts to differentiate between them. According to the
Swedish policy document Mal i mun (Swedish Language Committee, 2002), the combined
effect of borrowing from and switching to English could, in theory, eventually render it
possible to discuss specific topics in the national language due to the absence of necessary
terminology. This erosion of functional domains would result in the language no longer being
elaborated for all communicative functions, which Haugen (1996) identifies as a key
characteristic distinguishing a fully developed standard language. The academic, scientific,
and corporate sectors are most commonly cited as being at particular risk of domain loss.
Methodology
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This study employs a qualitative research design to explore the influence of English on
the German language, particularly in the context of lexical borrowing and domain loss. A
comprehensive literature review method was utilized, drawing on a wide range of scholarly
sources published between 1990 and 2020. Key studies by Bursamova (2010), Onysko
(2007), Hilgendorf (2007), and others were critically analyzed to identify prevailing trends in
Anglicization and its impact on German linguistic domains.
The selection of literature focused on peer-reviewed journal articles, academic books,
and policy documents addressing the spread of English in post-World War II Europe, with an
emphasis on Germany. Sources were identified through academic databases such as JSTOR,
Scopus, and Google Scholar. Inclusion criteria required that the studies directly discuss the
phenomenon of English lexical borrowings, sociolinguistic shifts, or domain-specific impacts
within the German-speaking context.
Data analysis was conducted using thematic analysis. Relevant information was
categorized into key themes such as the historical development of Anglicisms, the role of
English in political and business discourse, and the concept of domain loss. Attention was
given to both qualitative descriptions and quantitative estimates (e.g., the increase in
Anglicisms from 8% to 17% in German vocabulary) reported in the literature.
Given the nature of the study, no primary data collection was undertaken; instead, the
research relied entirely on secondary sources. This methodological approach enables a
synthesis of existing knowledge, offering a holistic understanding of the extent and
consequences of English’s influence on the German language.
Results
The analysis of the selected literature revealed a significant and multidimensional
impact of English on the German language since the end of World War II, with a particularly
sharp increase observed after the 1990s. The review confirmed that Anglicisms have become
a pervasive element of everyday communication among German speakers, with English
borrowings increasingly integrated into both informal conversations and formal registers.
Several key findings emerged from the thematic analysis:
-
Widespread Lexical borrowing: English terms have entered the German language
across various domains, particularly politics, business, technology, and consumption-
related contexts.
-
Domain Loss Phenomena: Specialized fields increasingly rely on English terminology,
contributing to a gradual erosion of German as the sole medium for specialized
discourse (Hilgendorf, 2007).
-
Quantitative Growth of Anglicism: Estimates suggest that English-derived lexical
items in German have increased to approximately 17% from 8%.
-
Sociocultural Implications: English borrowings are often associated with prestige and
modernity.
-
Internationalization Trends: Scholarly and professional communication increasingly
incorporates English to appeal to a broader audience.
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Discussion
The findings of this study confirm the pervasive influence of English on the German
language, consistent with previous research. The significant increase in Anglicisms,
especially in political, business, and consumption-related contexts, illustrates not only a
linguistic trend but also s broader sociocultural shift towards globalization and
internationalization.
The widespread lexical borrowing shows that English functions as a prestige language,
particularly in urban environments like Berlin. The integration of English into everyday
German usage highlights the deep cultural penetration of English and suggests the trend will
continue.
The phenomenon of domain loss raises concerns about the future functionality of
German in specialized areas. As English becomes the default language for academic,
scientific, and corporate communication, German may face challenges in maintaining its full
communicative range.
Overall, the findings align with the view that English has initiated profound structural
and functional changes within the German language, underscoring the importance of
monitoring these developments and considering policy interventions.
Conclusion
This study has examined the significant and ongoing impact of English on the German
language, focusing on the proliferation of Anglicisms and the phenomenon of domain loss.
The analysis revealed that since the end of World War II, and especially since the 1990s,
English borrowings have become an integral part of German communication across multiple
sectors.
The results indicate that English not only serves as a source of lexical enrichment but
also contributes to structural shifts within the German language. Evidence of domain loss,
particularly in academic and corporate sectors, suggests English is increasingly occupying
communicative spaces traditionally reserved for German. Although the rate of lexical
borrowing may have stabilized recently, the long-term consequences remain profound.
The study highlights the necessity of continued scholarly attention to the dynamics of
language contact and suggests that policy measures might be required to support the vitality
and functional versatility of the German language in a globalized world.
References:
1. Ganić, M. (2015). The influence of English on German: A morphosyntactic analysis
(Doctoral dissertation, University of Rijeka. Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.
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2. Gerwens, F. S. (2023). Anglicisms–Nein Danke? Quantitative and qualitative analysis of
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3. Muhvić-Dimanovski, V. (1995). Anglicisms in German: the problem of variants. Studia
romanica et anglica Zagrabiensia, 42, 269-274.
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ISSN: 2692-5206, Impact Factor: 12,23
American Academic publishers, volume 05, issue 04,2025
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4. Onysko, A. (2007). Anglicisms in German: Borrowing, lexical productivity, and written
codeswitching (Vol. 23). Walter de Gruyter.
5. Truslove, K. (2020). The relationship between English and German in Germany: A
sociolinguistic study of the use of English and anglicisms, and attitudes towards them
(Doctoral dissertation, University of Oxford).
