Laensõnad

Laensõnad are words that have been borrowed from one language into another. This linguistic phenomenon is a natural part of language evolution, as languages come into contact through trade, migration, conquest, and cultural exchange. The borrowing of words allows languages to expand their vocabulary, express new concepts, and adapt to changing societal needs.

In Estonian, laensõnad are a significant component of the lexicon. Many laensõnad have entered Estonian from languages such as German, Russian, Swedish, and more recently, English. For example, words like "tool" (from German "Zoll" meaning customs) and "müts" (from Russian "мять" meaning to crumple or press) are common examples. English influence is particularly noticeable in technological and modern cultural terms, such as "arvuti" (computer) or "internet".

The integration of laensõnad into a language can vary. Some borrowed words are adopted with little to no modification, while others are adapted to fit the phonological and morphological rules of the recipient language. This adaptation process can include changes in pronunciation, spelling, and grammatical endings. The study of laensõnad, known as etymology, helps linguists understand the historical relationships between languages and the cultural interactions that have shaped them.