Tendencies in the Transfer of Lexical Meaning of English Loanwords in Modern Ukrainian

Abstract

This article explores the semantic evolution of English loanwords (Anglicisms) in modern Ukrainian, focusing on borrowings that entered the language from the 1990s onward. It applies J. Ajduković’s theory of transsemantization to categorize the semantic changes as zero, partial, or free, depending on the degree of transformation from the original English meanings. The study defines Anglicisms as lexemes borrowed from or through English that contain at least one sememe formed under English influence. Drawing on a diverse corpus from media, fiction, conversational speech, and slang, the analysis reveals that the majority of Anglicisms in Ukrainian have undergone semantic narrowing, reflecting either a reduction in the number of sememes or a specification of meaning. Fewer cases involve semantic broadening or complete resemantization (derogation), the latter being more frequent in sociolects and expressive registers. The paper highlights how factors such as globalization, cultural prestige, and expressive stylistics contribute to the adoption and semantic reconfiguration of loanwords. Ultimately, the research underscores the dynamic nature of lexical assimilation and demonstrates how Anglicisms serve not only as linguistic imports but also as markers of cultural orientation and social identity within Ukrainian discourse.