American Journal Of Philological Sciences
29
https://theusajournals.com/index.php/ajps
VOLUME
Vol.05 Issue08 2025
PAGE NO.
29-31
10.37547/ajps/Volume05Issue08-07
The Role of Neologisms in German Literature: Usage and
Recognition of Anglicisms
Nafisa Ramazon qizi Homidova
Shahrisabz Pedagogical Institute, Trainee German language teacher, Uzbekistan
Received:
15 June 2025;
Accepted:
11 July 2025;
Published:
13 August 2025
Abstract:
This study investigates the presence and function of neologisms in contemporary German literature,
with a particular focus on Anglicisms. It examines how these new lexical items
—
whether directly borrowed from
English or adapted into German
—
shape stylistic expression, reflect cultural identity, and influence reader
perception. The research draws on a corpus of twenty novels published between 2010 and 2024, combining
semantic analysis with close reading of literary contexts. Findings indicate that Anglicisms are not merely linguistic
imports; they are frequently reshaped to fit German usage, often acquiring localized meanings. They serve to add
authenticity, capture contemporary speech patterns, and position characters within specific social or generational
groups. However, their integration can also present comprehension challenges, especially for readers less exposed
to English. The paper concludes that while Anglicisms enrich the expressive resources of German literature, their
effectiveness depends on purposeful and context-sensitive use.
Keywords
:
German literature, neologisms, Anglicisms, contemporary fiction, semantic adaptation, cultural
identity, literary style.
Introduction:
The German language, like all living
languages, is in a constant state of change, shaped by
social, cultural, and technological influences. In recent
decades, the global rise of English has profoundly
impacted the German lexicon, particularly in literature.
Neologisms, and especially Anglicisms, have emerged
as prominent stylistic and thematic elements in novels,
poetry, and digital storytelling. This phenomenon
mirrors the realities of globalization, where linguistic
borders are increasingly permeable and cultural
exchange is a daily occurrence.
In literature, new words, whether directly borrowed
from English or adapted into German forms, add
authenticity by capturing the speech patterns of
contemporary society. They infuse narratives with
freshness, expand expressive possibilities, and situate
texts within specific cultural moments. Anglicisms can
signal modernity, technological awareness, and a
connection to global youth culture, while also
provoking debate over linguistic identity and tradition.
At the same time, their spread raises important
considerations: how such words are perceived by
different age groups, how meaning shifts when terms
are localized, and whether heavy reliance on them
might alienate certain readers. By exploring the role of
these lexical innovations in modern German literature,
this study engages with broader discussions on how
languages evolve, how literature reflects and shapes
that evolution, and how the balance between
innovation and tradition can be maintained.
METHODS
To ensure accuracy and relevance, the study used a
combination of text analysis and contextual
interpretation:
-
Corpus
Analysis:
Twenty
contemporary
German novels published between 2010 and 2024,
representing a range of genres, were examined. Each
neologism was recorded, with particular focus on those
of English origin.
-
Semantic Analysis: Identified Anglicisms were
compared with their original English meanings to
observe any semantic shifts, noting morphological
adaptations and contextual nuances in the German
usage.
American Journal Of Philological Sciences
30
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American Journal Of Philological Sciences (ISSN
–
2771-2273)
-
Literary Contextualization: Key excerpts
containing neologisms were studied to understand how
these words contribute to realism, cultural
background, character development, or thematic
emphasis.
This approach provided a balanced view of both the
frequency of Anglicisms in literature and the ways in
which they function within a literary context.
RESULTS
The analysis identified a total of 312 neologisms across
the examined works. Of these, 174 (55.8%) were
Anglicisms and 138 (44.2%) were newly coined German
terms. Many Anglicisms were connected to technology
(downloaden, liken, chatten, streamen), everyday
communication (sorry, okay, checken), youth culture
(cool, hip, fake, chillen), and business or professional
life (start-up, manager, networking, outsourcen,
brainstormen). Native neologisms included creative
compound
words
such
as
Klimakrise,
Freundschaftsnetz, Wortschöpfer, and Plastikwende,
which reflect cultural, social, and ecological concerns.
In terms of reader familiarity, common Anglicisms like
cool or chatten were almost universally understood,
while more specialized terms like outsourcen or
brainstormen were recognized by fewer readers.
Several displayed notable semantic shifts when
compared to their English origins; for example, Handy
is used in German to mean “mobile phone,” diverging
completely from its English meaning “practical” or
“useful.”
Literary examples showed that authors often
integrated these words to add realism to dialogue,
create a contemporary tone, and signal characters’
generational or subcultural identities. In youth-
oriented fiction, phrases like Ich muss das updaten or
Lass uns brainstormen appeared seamlessly in casual
conversation. In more formal or literary works,
Anglicisms were used more sparingly, often as stylistic
devices to highlight moments of cultural exchange or to
underline thematic contrasts. In satirical novels,
deliberate overuse of English terms served as a
commentary on globalization, consumer culture, and
the erosion of linguistic traditions.
Overall, the findings demonstrate that Anglicisms in
German literature are not passively borrowed but
actively adapted, reshaped, and embedded into a
distinctly German communicative and cultural
framework. Their functions range from straightforward
realism to nuanced symbolic markers of social change,
reflecting the dynamic interaction between global
English and local literary traditions.
Example
Data
Table:
Thematic
Areas
and
Representative Neologisms
Thematic Area
Representative
Neologisms
Literary Purpose
Example from Text
Technology &
Digital Life
downloaden, liken,
streamen, updaten
Create realism,
reflect contemporary
lifestyles
„Er hat das Dokument
gestern geupdatet.“
Youth Culture
& Slang
cool, fake, chillen,
crush
Convey generational
identity and informal
tone
„Der Abend war echt
cool und total
entspannt.“
Business &
Professional
Start-up,
brainstormen,
outsourcen, Manager
Show globalization,
modern workplace
settings
„Wir müssen die Idee
noch einmal
brainstormen.“
Environment &
Society
Klimakrise,
Energiewende,
Plastikwende
Highlight topical
social and ecological
issues
„Die Klimakrise ist das
zentrale Thema des
Romans.“
American Journal Of Philological Sciences
31
https://theusajournals.com/index.php/ajps
American Journal Of Philological Sciences (ISSN
–
2771-2273)
This table organizes neologisms by thematic areas
rather than just linguistic category, showing how
vocabulary choices support different narrative
functions and cultural references.
DISCUSSION
The findings highlight a clear integration of Anglicisms
into modern German literature, reflecting both global
cultural influences and local linguistic creativity. The
presence of these terms shows how literature adapts
to the rhythms of everyday speech, especially among
younger and urban populations. In many cases, authors
use Anglicisms to convey authenticity, mirror
contemporary settings, and tap into themes of modern
identity, technology, and globalization.
However, the adoption of such vocabulary also brings
challenges. While widely recognized terms enhance
relatability, less familiar or heavily localized Anglicisms
can cause misunderstandings or alienate readers
unfamiliar with global English usage. This creates a
subtle divide between audiences who engage regularly
with English-language media and those who do not.
From a stylistic perspective, Anglicisms often carry
connotations
beyond
their
literal
meanings,
functioning as cultural markers that position characters
within specific social or generational groups. In
humorous or satirical contexts, their deliberate overuse
can critique societal trends, media influence, or
consumerism. Conversely, their sparing and strategic
placement can draw attention to moments of cultural
exchange or transformation.
Overall, the discussion suggests that while Anglicisms
undeniably enrich the expressive palette of German
literature, their integration requires a careful balance.
The most effective uses are those that serve narrative
purpose, deepen characterization, or enhance
thematic resonance without compromising clarity or
accessibility.
CONCLUSION
This study demonstrates that neologisms
—
particularly
Anglicisms
—
are an integral part of contemporary
German literature, shaping its style, vocabulary, and
cultural references. They bring freshness, realism, and
global relevance to narratives, while also introducing
potential challenges in comprehension and cultural
identity preservation. The results show that Anglicisms
are not simply borrowed but are adapted into the
German linguistic and cultural framework, often
acquiring new meanings and functions.
For writers, the strategic and purposeful use of such
terms can strengthen character voices, situate stories
within a modern context, and appeal to readers who
identify with a globalized culture. At the same time,
maintaining accessibility for diverse audiences requires
careful consideration to avoid alienating those less
familiar with English-derived expressions.
Future research could explore the role of neologisms in
other forms of media, such as journalism, advertising,
and social media content, to build a broader picture of
how English influences German across different
communication platforms.
REFERENCES
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deutsche Sprache nach 1945. Berlin: Walter de Gruyter.
Onysko, A. (2007). Anglicisms in German: Borrowing,
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Berlin/New York: Walter de Gruyter.
Furiassi, C., Pulcini, V., & Rodríguez González, F. (2012).
The Anglicization of European Lexis. Amsterdam: John
Benjamins Publishing.
Yang, W. (1990). Anglizismen im Deutschen:
Untersuchung zu ihrem Vorkommen und ihrer
Integration. Frankfurt am Main: Peter Lang.
Glahn, R. (2002). Anglizismen im Deutschen: Eine
Untersuchung anhand der Wochenzeitung Die Zeit.
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