The article considers extra-linguistic and linguistic aspects of forming New Zealand English vocabulary. We have highlighted the reasons of language changes. New Zealand English contains Maori words related to Maori cultural traditions, many of which have become part of New Zealand culture, as well as to the flora and fauna of New Zealand, particularly for endemic species, along with place names. Maori loan words are the most outstanding feature of the New Zealand English vocabulary. The paper expresses the view that the formation of the New Zealand English vocabulary was influenced by several extralinguistic factors, primarily: historical; cultural-historical; territorial; socio-economic and socio-political. The choice of language units in New Zealand English on a synchronous cross-section depends on such extralinguistic factors as: the age and belonging to a generation; the social affiliation; the place of residence; the level of education and upbringing; the scope of use of the English language. The current revitalization of Maori language and culture has had an important influence on New Zealand English. Maori is endangered and since the 1980s has been the subject of extensive revitalisation initiatives. It is worth noting that the official status of Maori gave all New Zealanders the opportunity to reflect on their country's bicultural identity. Most of the common Maori names for trees, birds and fish were borrowed in the first half of the 19th century, and words like kauri and totara (trees), tui and weka (birds), tarakihi (fish), pipi (shellfish), katipo (spider) are now basic items to all New Zealanders. The authors conclude the vocabulary is dominated not by new lexical units (neologisms), but by lexical and semantic variants of common English units, or rather their figurative uses. This circumstance is associated with the activation of certain layers of vocabulary that reflect relevant phenomena for society.
No abstract
English, the Maori language and New Zealand Sign Language are New Zealand's official languages, with English being the most commonly used. Maori make up approximately 15 percent of the population. New Zealand English is one of the youngest varieties of English and is distinctive in that its full formation and development are documented. An important aspect of the recognition of the existence of a national variety of the English language in New Zealand is the codification of the national norm of the literary language, and primarily through a lexicographic reflection. The paper considers the formation and development of New Zealand lexicography within the framework of the linguistic environment. It has been established that the beginning of the formation of the New Zealand lexicographic practice was connected with the description of the Maori language. It needs to be noted that ethnic, cultural, social and language diversity determined the specifics of New Zealand lexicography. Victoria University has been the main centre for lexicography in New Zealand.
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