Learning Materials
Features
Discover
A Greek calque is a linguistic term referring to a word or phrase borrowed from Greek into another language through direct translation of its components. For example, the English phrase 'periodic table' is a calque of the Greek 'περιοδικός πίνακας' (periodikos pinakas). Understanding Greek calques can help you recognize the deep influence of Greek on modern languages.
Millions of flashcards designed to help you ace your studies
Sign up for freeWhat is an example of a Greek calque in English?
How do Greek calques typically influence modern languages?
Which Greek-origin term is used to standardize scientific language and means 'the study of life'?
Which term is an example of a Greek calque in English?
Why are Greek calques particularly prevalent in scientific terminology?
Which of the following is an example of a Greek calque in English?
What is a common Greek calque in European languages for 'automobile'?
What is a Greek calque?
What is a Greek calque?
How do Greek calques influence modern languages?
What is a calque in linguistic terms?
What is an example of a Greek calque in English?
How do Greek calques typically influence modern languages?
Which Greek-origin term is used to standardize scientific language and means 'the study of life'?
Which term is an example of a Greek calque in English?
Why are Greek calques particularly prevalent in scientific terminology?
Which of the following is an example of a Greek calque in English?
What is a common Greek calque in European languages for 'automobile'?
What is a Greek calque?
What is a Greek calque?
How do Greek calques influence modern languages?
What is a calque in linguistic terms?
Achieve better grades quicker with Premium
Geld-zurück-Garantie, wenn du durch die Prüfung fällst
Review generated flashcards
Start learning or create your own AI flashcards
Team Greek calque Teachers
The term Greek calque refers to a type of linguistic borrowing wherein a word or phrase from the Greek language is translated into another language using the exact or similar elements. This process results in a new term or expression in the target language that mirrors the original Greek structure and meaning.
Greek calques play a significant role in the evolution of modern languages. By understanding how Greek calques work, you can gain insights into the interconnectedness of languages and the influence of Greek on modern vocabulary.
A calque is a word or phrase borrowed from another language by literal, word-for-word, or root-for-root translation. In the case of a Greek calque, these borrowed elements come specifically from Greek.
Let's consider the term 'telephone'. This word is derived from the Greek words 'tele' (meaning 'far') and 'phone' (meaning 'voice'). The calque preserves the meanings of these Greek elements in the English term.
Many common English words are calques from Greek. These words often provide direct translations of Greek terms, maintaining the original meanings and structures.
Here are a few examples of Greek calques in English:
Not only English but many languages across the world, especially those in Europe, have absorbed Greek calques. For example, the concept of 'democracy', which has spread globally, is a Greek calque that numerous languages have adopted with equivalent translations.
Calque formation is an interesting process where new terms are created in a language by translating elements from another language, often preserving the original structure and meaning. In the case of Greek, many modern languages have borrowed words and phrases, retaining their essential meanings. Here is how this mechanism works and some examples you might find fascinating.
Calque formation involves translating the components of a word or phrase from one language into another. When these translations come from Greek, they are referred to as Greek calques. This method helps languages expand their vocabularies by borrowing and adapting terms from Greek. Understanding how these linguistic imports work can illuminate how languages influence one another.
Greek has contributed significantly to the lexicons of many languages, especially in fields such as science, philosophy, and the arts.
For instance, the English word 'astronomy' is a calque from Greek, combining 'astro' (star) and 'nomos' (law).
A calque is a lexical borrowing in which each element of a word or phrase is translated into the borrowing language.
Many common words in modern languages are examples of Greek calques. These words maintain the essence of their Greek counterparts. Here are some fascinating Greek calques used in English and other languages:
Some examples of Greek calques include:
It is interesting to note that Greek calques can signal the historical context in which borrowing occurs. For example, terms from scientific disciplines often reflect ancient Greek discoveries and naming conventions. This linguistic phenomenon shows the enduring legacy of Greek culture and knowledge on modern languages.
Greek calques are pervasive in many modern languages, offering insights into the borrowing and adaptation process. Here are some noteworthy examples of Greek calques and their impact on contemporary vocabulary.
Here are some examples of Greek calques that have been integrated into English:
For example, the English word 'academy' comes from the Greek 'akademeia,' named after the place where Plato taught.
Greek calques are often seen in scientific terminology due to the extensive historical contributions of Greek scholars. These terms help standardize scientific language worldwide:
| Term | Greek Origin |
| Biology | 'bios' (life) + 'logos' (study) |
| Geology | 'ge' (earth) + 'logos' (study) |
| Anatomy | 'ana' (up) + 'tome' (cutting) |
Delving into the historical context, Greek words formed the basis of European Renaissance scientific vocabulary. As scholars sought terms for new concepts, they often turned to Greek, encoding their discoveries in calques that communicated complex ideas succinctly.
Greek calques are not limited to English; many European languages also incorporate them. Here are some examples:
Interestingly, the influence of Greek stretches beyond European languages, affecting terminologies even in Asian languages for scientific and technical fields.
Greek calques have permeated many modern languages, particularly English. This section explores some of the most notable Greek calques and their lasting impacts on contemporary vocabulary.
Greek calques are translations of Greek words or phrases that retain the structure and meaning of their originals. These calques enrich English with terms that often have historical and scholarly significance.
Some examples of Greek calques in English include:
For instance, the English word 'academy' originates from 'akademeia,' the area in Athens where Plato taught.
The word 'telephone' is another calque, from the Greek 'tele' (far) and 'phone' (voice).
Greek calques are particularly prevalent in scientific terminology, thanks to the extensive contributions of Greek scholars to various fields of study. These terms standardize scientific language globally:
| Term | Greek Origin |
| Biology | 'bios' (life) + 'logos' (study) |
| Geology | 'ge' (earth) + 'logos' (study) |
| Anatomy | 'ana' (up) + 'tome' (cutting) |
Exploring the historical context of Greek calques, it becomes evident that Greek words formed the foundation of European Renaissance scientific vocabulary. When scholars needed terms for new concepts, they often turned to Greek, encoding their discoveries in calques that communicated complex ideas succinctly.
Greek calques are not exclusive to English; many European and even Asian languages have adopted them. Their influence extends beyond everyday vocabulary, enriching technical and scientific fields as well:
Even languages as diverse as Chinese and Japanese use Greek calques in scientific and technical terminologies.
Sign up for free to gain access to all our flashcards.
At StudySmarter, we have created a learning platform that serves millions of students. Meet the people who work hard to deliver fact based content as well as making sure it is verified.
Lily Hulatt is a Digital Content Specialist with over three years of experience in content strategy and curriculum design. She gained her PhD in English Literature from Durham University in 2022, taught in Durham University’s English Studies Department, and has contributed to a number of publications. Lily specialises in English Literature, English Language, History, and Philosophy.
Get to know Lily
Gabriel Freitas is an AI Engineer with a solid experience in software development, machine learning algorithms, and generative AI, including large language models’ (LLMs) applications. Graduated in Electrical Engineering at the University of São Paulo, he is currently pursuing an MSc in Computer Engineering at the University of Campinas, specializing in machine learning topics. Gabriel has a strong background in software engineering and has worked on projects involving computer vision, embedded AI, and LLM applications.
Get to know Gabriel
Explanations 
Flashcards 
StudySmarter AI 
Notes 
Study Plans 
Study Sets 
Exams 
Find a job 
Student Deals 
Magazine 
Mobile App