Neofuncionalització

Neofuncionalització, also written as neofunctionalization, is a linguistic phenomenon in which a lexical item that originally belonged to one grammatical category gains a new grammatical function. This process usually involves the transformation of a noun into a verb, but it can also include noun-to-adjective or adjective-to-noun shifts. The new function expands the semantic range of the word, facilitating pragmatic flexibility and creating a more efficient communication system.

The term was introduced in the 1960s by the Spanish linguist José Luis Cruz-Roldán to describe changes observed in Iberian Spanish. Since then, it has been extensively studied in other languages, including English, French, and Chinese. Research has shown that neofunctionalització often occurs in response to technological, cultural, or social developments that generate new concepts requiring lexicalization. For instance, the noun "internet" and verbs like "to google" illustrate how platforms and popular practices can spur neofunctionalization.

Processes of neofunctionalització are typically progressive: the new form is initially used in informal registers, later gaining legitimacy through widespread usage and incorporation into dictionaries. Scholars differentiate between "weak" and "strong" neofunctionalization, depending on how fully the word has integrated into its new grammatical role. Weak forms may still coexist with the original usage, while strong forms become dominant or replace the original.

Studies of neofunctionalització contribute to understanding language change mechanisms, lexical economy, and the dynamic interplay between lexical items and grammatical categories.