The Acceptability and Use of Anglicisms in the Language of Medicine: A Pragmatic Perspective

Anamarija Gjuran-Coha

Abstract


In the last few decades, there has been a significant increase in the use of anglicisms in general language, as well as in terminology. While anglicisms are accepted with the aim of filling lexical gaps, their role in medical language is much broader. The aim of this paper is to explore the role and function of anglicisms in medical language by conducting research among speakers and determining the function of anglicisms in medical terminology. In the study, we examined the comprehensibility and use of anglicisms, their equivalents, and the reasons for their acceptance. The results indicated a moderate level of understanding and use of anglicisms, along with a less frequent use of native equivalents. The reasons for their use highlight the brevity of terms, their precision, and the widespread adoption. The study confirmed that the function of anglicisms is multifaceted. In addition to filling lexical gaps, anglicisms facilitate communication within the broader international community, emphasizing their economy and precision in meaning.

Keywords


anglicisms; loanwords; medical language; pragmatics

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.51558/2490-3647.2025.10.1.147

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