Semantic Shift Research Articles

Motivational Mechanisms and Semantic Structures of Polysemous Nominal Nouns in the Kazakh Language

This study explores the polysemous nature of nominal nouns in the Kazakh language through an in-depth examination of their semantic structure and motivational mechanisms. By focusing on both primary and secondary meanings of lexemes, the research classifies polysemy into several distinct types — namely, derived, figurative, dialectal, and terminological — based on linguistic, ethnolinguistic, and cultural factors. While polysemy is a cross-linguistic phenomenon, its nationally specific characteristics and culturally embedded motivations in Kazakh offer a unique perspective for cognitive-semantic interpretation. The paper applies a combination of componential, etymological, and ethnolinguistic analyses to examine how lexical meanings evolve from core referents to metaphorical and context-dependent interpretations. Findings reveal that Kazakh polysemous nouns are shaped by formal, functional, material, spatial, and associative motivations. Furthermore, motivational chains exhibit varying levels of complexity: simple, parallel, sequential, and parallel-sequential models are observed across examples. The study provides a typology of semantic shifts, highlighting intricate relationships among lexical meanings from both diachronic and synchronic perspectives. Ultimately, the research demonstrates that polysemy in Kazakh is not merely a linguistic phenomenon but also a cognitive and cultural one, deeply embedded in the worldview and lived experience of its speakers. These findings contribute to a more nuanced understanding of semantic derivation and nomination theory within Turkic linguistics.

Quantifying hot topic dynamics in scientific literature: An information-theoretical approach

Understanding the internal structure of scientific discourse is essential for tracking the evolution of research topics and their conceptual interdependencies. However, existing approaches such as dynamic topic modeling and neural topic models often fail to capture fine-grained semantic shifts among known concepts, or require substantial computational resources. Co-occurrence networks offer a more interpretable alternative, but typically rely on correlation-based weights that lack metric properties, preventing rigorous temporal comparison and topological interpretation.To address this gap, we introduce a metric-based framework for analyzing the evolving structure of concept networks in the scientific literature. Using 10,370 research articles (2010-2023) on international security from JSTOR and PORTICO, we compute the normalized variation of information (NVI) distances to construct annual concept networks with a well-defined geometric structure. We then quantify semantic change using velocity matrices and extract major trends using Minimum Spanning Tree (MST) analysis.Our results reveal that conceptual shifts are concentrated in temporally localized hubs and are not driven by co-occurrence frequency alone, but by contextual information and shared uncertainty between concept distributions. By introducing a scalable, interpretable, and mathematically grounded approach to tracking concept dynamics, this study contributes new tools for topic evolution analysis and offers insight into the structural organization and reconfiguration of knowledge over time.

Menelaah Problematika Kajian Semantik Historis Bahasa Arab di Era Modern

This study examines the challenges of historical semantics research in the Arabic language in the modern era. While historical semantics investigates the evolution of word meanings over time, existing literature often overlooks the complex social, political, and religious factors influencing these changes, especially within Arabic. The gap lies in limited integration of socio-political contexts and contemporary linguistic shifts in semantic analysis. This research aims to fill that gap by analyzing semantic changes in Arabic words through both synchronic and diachronic approaches, emphasizing the socio-cultural and religious dynamics involved. A qualitative method combining document analysis and semantic theory review was employed to trace semantic shifts and identify key problematics. The study reveals that modern influences such as colonialism, digitalization, and ideological conflicts significantly affect meaning transformations, posing methodological and ethical challenges for researchers. Findings highlight that the reinterpretation of key terms often reflects broader socio-political struggles and cultural negotiations. The study concludes that a nuanced, context-aware approach is essential for accurate semantic historical analysis of Arabic, balancing respect for traditional meanings with recognition of evolving usages. This contributes to a deeper understanding of language dynamics and offers a framework for future semantic research in Arabic and other languages with rich historical backgrounds

Translating the nation in nineteenth-century Arabic

Abstract This study examines the linguistic mechanisms through which the concept of “nation” was transferred into Arabic in the nineteenth century via translation from French. Initially untranslatable, the term was rendered using religiously charged words such as milla and ṭā’ifa, reflecting the sociopolitical framework of the time, where identity was primarily defined by religious affiliation rather than territorial or political structures. Through diachronic corpus analysis, this research traces how Arabic translators, influenced by the Napoleonic Expedition and the works of Rifā’a Al-Ṭahṭāwī, gradually adapted the concept into the secular geopolitical term umma. A key component of this study is the corpus analysis of umma, examining its frequency and collocations in nineteenth-century Arabic texts, including intellectual writings and newspapers. Findings reveal that while umma initially coexisted with religious terms, it increasingly collocated with geopolitical and nationalist adjectives, reflecting its semantic shift. Moreover, as umma became central in nationalist discourse, it also played a key role in feminist writings, particularly in the works of Qāsim Amīn, where the elevation of the nation was closely tied to women’s education and empowerment. This study highlights how translation and linguistic contact shaped Arabic political discourse, national identity, and early feminist thought.

Perceptual event boundaries cause mnemonic trade-offs between temporal order memory and source Memory: The role of semantic relatedness among items.

Perceptual event boundaries cause mnemonic trade-offs between temporal order memory and source Memory: The role of semantic relatedness among items.

Lexical evolution in the age of artificial intelligence: A comparative literature study of English and Indonesian

This qualitative comparative literature study investigates the lexical evolution driven by artificial intelligence (AI) technologies within English and Indonesian linguistic contexts. Focusing on AI-related vocabulary, such as machine learning, prompts, and fine-tuning, the research critically analyses how these terms emerge, adapt, and shift semantically across both languages. English, identified as a global language, serves predominantly as a lexical innovator and supplier of new technological terms. In contrast, Indonesian demonstrates dynamic lexical negotiation through processes of borrowing, semantic adjustment, and selective localisation. The analysis highlights that these linguistic responses reflect deeper cultural, ideological, and social considerations, wherein borrowed terms often undergo subtle semantic shifts influenced by local perceptions of technology and digital interactions. The study explores hybrid linguistic practices that have arisen, particularly in digital communication, reflecting users’ strategic linguistic choices rooted in cultural identity, technological authority, and social contexts. This hybridity highlights the complexities of language use in the digital age, reflecting the negotiations between global integration and cultural authenticity. This research sheds light on broader implications regarding globalisation, linguistic sustainability, and sociocultural identity, suggesting that future research should further investigate empirical data to enhance our understanding of how communities actively navigate linguistic changes amid technological advancements.

Book Review] Minjung: A Birth of Korean Studies

This book review examines the seminal two-volume work by Kang In-cheol, which offers a meticulous and comprehensive account of the conceptual history of minjung. The first volume, Minjung: The Resistant Subject, critically engages with the theoretical underpinnings and discursive formations of minjung, while the second, Minjung: In Times and History, provides an exhaustive historical analysis of its development. Collectively, these volumes adopt a macro-perspective to elucidate the socio-historical contexts that have shaped the conceptual transformation of minjung. Kang’s research traces the emergence of minjung—a longstanding East Asian term denoting the ‘dominated class’—as it evolved into an emblematic concept within Korea’s progressive social movements and intellectual tradition. Through detailed analysis, Kang demonstrates how the minjung concept, particularly during the 1920s and 1970s, underwent a significant semantic shift, moving beyond its connotations of ‘subordination’ and ‘numerical majority’ to encompass meanings of ‘resistance’ and ‘subjectivity’. This transformation not only reflects broader socio-political changes but also constitutes a distinctive linguistic revolution within Korean intellectual discourse. Moreover, his research systematically analyzes the evolution of the minjung concept since the 1970s, categorizing its theoretical characteristics into three distinct generations. This approach underscores its significant role in the emergence of Korean studies. This review seeks to enhance understanding of minjung by synthesizing the core arguments and insights of both volumes.

TRANSLATION AND MULTILINGUAL CHALLENGES OF IDIOMS EXPRESSING LIFE

This study explores the translation and multilingual challenges associated with idiomatic expressions conveying the concept of “life” in English and Uzbek. Idioms, deeply rooted in cultural and cognitive frameworks, often lack direct equivalents across languages, making their translation complex. Through qualitative analysis of a selected corpus of idioms from both languages, this research examines semantic shifts, cultural adaptations, and strategies used to preserve meaning and stylistic effects. The findings highlight significant challenges in achieving equivalence, especially where cultural metaphors diverge. The study contributes to improved understanding of idiomatic translation and offers insights for translators and linguists working in multilingual contexts. Keywords: Idioms, Translation, Multilingual Challenges, Life Expressions, Semantic Equivalence, Cultural Adaptation, English-Uzbek Translation.

Responsibility for shaping meaningful reality: literary translation as dialogue in Vasyl Stus. Goethe's ‘Wanderer's Night Song’ and Stus' “Night Song of the Wanderer”

The article highlights literary translation as a dialogue, using the example of Vasyl' Stus' translations of Goethe's Wanderers Nachtlied, and aims to demonstrate what can happen in and between literary texts from different times when one engages with the relationships and questions their meaning. The goal is to make the literary dialogue and the place where it occurs visible and bring it to awareness through a concrete example. Instead of following the equivalence model, which evaluates translations based on formal and content-based similarity, the semantic shifts in Stus' renderings are analyzed. These shifts reflect individual poetic decisions that, in contrast to Goethe’s poem, carry a somber diagnosis of the time. While Goethe explores man and nature as part 32 of a divine, transcendent (meaningful) order, Stus' translation, in a dialogical reading, powerfully speaks of an order of stagnation, conformism, and constant existential threat. The contribution views literary translation as a multifaceted dialogue between texts and times, in which it is the responsibility of both the translator and the reader to ensure that this dialogue, with an awareness of the specifics of literary communication, does not become stagnant due to reduced (ideological) readings, but instead contributes to an order (reality) experienced as meaningful.

From Policy to Practice: A Comparative Topic Modeling Study of Smart Forestry in China

The accelerated penetration of digital technology into natural ecosystems has led to the digital transformation of forest ecological spaces. Smart forestry, as a key pathway for digital-intelligence-enabled ecological governance, plays an important role in global sustainable development and multi-level governance. However, due to differences in functional positioning, resource capacity, and policy translation mechanisms, semantic shifts and disconnections arise between central policies, local policies, and practical implementation, thereby affecting policy execution and governance effectiveness. Fujian Province has been identified as a key pilot region for smart forestry practices in China, owing to its early adoption of informatization strategies and distinctive ecological conditions. This study employed the Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) topic modeling method to construct a corpus of smart forestry texts, including central policies, local policies, and local media reports from 2010 to 2025. Seven potential themes were identified and categorized into three overarching dimensions: technological empowerment, governance mechanisms, and ecological goals. The results show that central policies emphasize macro strategy and ecological security, local policies focus on platform construction and governance coordination, and local practice features digital innovation and ecological value transformation. Three transmission paths are summarized to support smart forestry policy optimization and inform digital ecological governance globally.

A Focus on Important Samples for Out-of-Distribution Detection

To ensure the reliability and security of machine learning classification models when deployed in the open world, it is crucial that these models can detect out-of-distribution (OOD) data that exhibits semantic shifts from the in-distribution (ID) data used during training. This necessity has spurred extensive research on OOD detection. Previous methods required a large amount of finely labeled OOD data for model training, which is costly or performed poorly in open-world scenarios. To address these limitations, we propose a novel method named focus on important samples (FIS) in this paper. FIS leverages model-predicted OOD scores to identify and focus on important samples that are more beneficial for model training. By learning from these important samples, our method aims to achieve reliable OOD detection performance while reducing training costs and the risk of overfitting training data, thereby enabling the model to better distinguish between ID and OOD data. Extensive experiments across diverse OOD detection scenarios demonstrate that FIS achieves superior performance compared to existing approaches, highlighting its robust and efficient OOD detection performance in practical applications.

ANALYSIS OF LEXICAL INNOVATIONS BASED ON JOANNE ROWLING AND LEWIS CARROLL WORKS

This article explores the linguistic creativity in the fantasy works of Joanne Rowling and Lewis Carroll, focusing on lexical innovation and word formation. It analyzes how these authors use inventive language strategies to construct immersive fictional worlds and convey thematic depth. Rowling’s approach is characterized by playful neologisms, blends, and derivations that enhance the whimsical yet socially nuanced world of Harry Potter. In contrast, Lewis relies on archaisms, classical borrowings, and semantic shifts to reinforce the allegorical and theological underpinnings of Narnia. The study offers a comparative analysis of their linguistic choices, examining the narrative, phonological, and cultural functions of new and repurposed words. It argues that both authors use lexical innovation not merely for stylistic effect but as a core tool for world-building, symbolism, and reader engagement. The article contributes to broader discussions in literary linguistics, fantasy studies, and the intersection of language and narrative.

A Historical Overview of the Indefinite Article Studies in Spanish Grammar

The subject of this study is the historical and linguistic analysis of the Spanish indefinite article (un, una, unos, unas) as a particularizing element in the nominal system and its role in expressing the category of determination. The research examines the origin of the article, the processes of desemanticization, and its evolution into a grammatical marker of indefiniteness. The analysis covers the functional and semantic values of the indefinite article across different historical periods of the Spanish language and offers a comparative assessment of approaches to its status and functions in various grammatical traditions, including Russian-language studies. Special attention is given to the role of the indefinite article in transforming a noun from potential reference to actual use in discourse. The methodology combines a structural-functional and historical approach, including the analysis of texts from the 13th to the 17th centuries, comparative historical-philological examination, and functional-semantic interpretation. The main findings of the research identify the stages of grammaticalization of the indefinite article in Spanish and describe the accompanying semantic and functional shifts. The study shows that the frequent use of the article with the grammatical category of number was gradually replaced by its function as a marker of particularization in noun phrases. It highlights the development of singular and plural forms (unos, unas), their grammatical features, and the semantic distinctions between the indefinite article and the pronoun algún. The research also clarifies how the indefinite article serves as an anti-extensive determinative that introduces new, non-identified referents into discourse. The scientific contribution consists in reconstructing the article’s developmental path, revealing previously undescribed patterns of semantic evolution, and organising academic studies on this topic in Spanish and Russian linguistic researches.

Autonyms of the Kirat Rai Linguistic Communities: Decoding roots, Meanings, and Identity

This study explores the ‘autonyms’ of the ‘Kirat Rai’ or Rai Kirati linguistic communities through an etymological lens. Autonyms such as roduŋ, rokduŋ, rʌdu, radu, rodʰu, raɖu, rʌ:di, rokoŋ, and kirawa > ki(ra)wa suggest a shared root, *r-duŋ, potentially linked to the Proto Tibeto- Burman (PTB) term *dung (‘to beat, drum, or strike’). However, semantic shifts over time are evident, as seen in Chamling, where *dung(-ma) means ‘to drink.’ This study reveals a geographical distribution and linguistic zones: Western Rai groups (e.g., Bayung/Bahing, Jero/Jerung, Bantawa) retain *r-initial autonyms, while Eastern groups (e.g., Yamphu, Lohorung, Mewahang, Yakkha, Yakthung/Limbu) transition to *y-initial forms. This *r> *y shift extends beyond autonyms to lexical items like ‘salt,’ ‘body,’ and ‘stand.’ Additionally, common affixes (-luŋ, -*wa, -*haŋ, -*riŋ) further connect the linguistic groups, with -luŋ prominently featured in Kulung, Thulung, Lohorung, Sampnag, Dumi, and Lungkhim; -wa in Bantawa, Phangduwa; -haŋ in Mewahang, Newahang; and -riŋ in Sottoring, Kuluring, and Nachhiring, among others. Through a comprehensive literature review and the qualitative research methods, this study underscores how autonyms form identity, history, and cultural resilience, emphasizing their role in preserving linguistic diversity amid global pressures.

PROFANITY THROUGH TIME: A CORPUS-BASED AND SOCIOLINGUISTIC STUDY OF THE EVOLUTION, USAGE, AND PERCEPTION OF ENGLISH CURSE WORDS

This study comprehensively investigates the historical development and contemporary usage of English curse words, integrating diachronic corpus linguistics with sociolinguistic survey data. Utilising a custom-built 1.5 million-token corpus spanning texts from the Middle English period to 2023, the research traces frequency trends, tone variations, and semantic shifts of twenty core profanities. Simultaneously, a quantitative survey of 500 global respondents explores the acceptability, frequency, and context of swearing across demographic groups, revealing strong generational and educational influences. Findings indicate a marked increase in profanity usage and growing normalisation in digital and informal settings. Words such as fuck, bitch, and shit have expanded semantically, now functioning across euphemistic, ironic, and neutral registers. Contrary to earlier studies, gender differences in swearing behaviour are minimal, while education and digital exposure significantly affect usage patterns. This research contributes to evolving theories of politeness, speech act pragmatics, and language change, framing profanity as a fluid linguistic tool reflective of broader cultural and communicative shifts in modern English. Keywords: English Cusswords, Profanity Studies, Sociolinguistics, Historical Corpus Linguistics, Euphemism and Taboo, Swearing and Digital Media, Speech Act Theory, Pragmatics and Politeness, Semantic Shift, Youth Language Trends

The role of English in shaping contemporary French academic vocabulary: a sociolinguistic analysis

This study investigates how English influences the formation of academic French vocabulary in the field of education across Francophone regions (France, Canada, Belgium, Switzerland, and West Africa). We review sociolinguistic and policy literature on lexical borrowing and language globalization and compile data on English‐derived terms and semantic anglicisms in educational discourse. Using a mixed-methods approach, we analyze examples of English borrowings (e.g. e-learning, MOOC, coaching, manager) drawn from curricula, academic publications and media, and compare usage across different Francophone contexts. We also consider attitudes toward anglicisms (e.g. survey data from Quebec students). Our results show that English has supplied numerous new terms in educational French, sometimes with adapted meanings. For instance, notions like e-learning (fr. formation en ligne) or manager (fr. gestionnaire) appear widely, reflecting globalized pedagogy. Semantic shifts are common (e.g. Fr. support in education vs. Eng. support). English borrowings remain pervasive despite language laws: France’s Toubon Law (1994) officially bans Anglicisms in legislation, yet English terms persist in academic contexts; in Québec, Bill 101 (1977) and Institut nounformulations (e.g. courriel for “email”) explicitly resist English influence. A literature review and corpus analysis (with sample data tables) reveal trends in English‐origin terminology, adaptations, and regional variation. We discuss how globalization drives lexical borrowing, and how language policy and community attitudes mediate the impact of English on French academic lexicon. Findings suggest that English borrowings in education are likely to grow, as scholars note they have become “necessary in modern French”. These insights inform language planners and educators about the dynamics of anglicisms in Francophone higher education.

Chinese Bangka Identity through Khek Language Assimilation

This paper examines the presence of Chinese descendants on Bangka Island, focusing on assimilating the Khek language, spoken by the Hakka community, by studying the hybridization across four sub-districts: Pangkalpinang, Sungaliat, Muntok, and Belinyu. Using the qualitative methods, including interviews and recordings of daily conversations, this paper analyzes the linguistic choices and semantic shifts in Khek by discussing the characteristics of the Khek language. This study has two main objectives: (1) to identify the lexical patterns and meaning of the Khek language in everyday use, and (2) to explore the socio-historical factors influencing Khek’s development on Bangka island. Findings show significant language assimilation between Khek and Bangka Malay, shaped by the socio-historical interactions. This research contributes to understanding the linguistic assimilation process and the mutual influence of speech communities in a multilingual context, shedding light on the mutual influence of language communities and the preservation of linguistic identity amid assimilation.

New Chuvash–Common Turkic Cognate and its Relation to Tocharian

This study proposes a new cognate relationship between Chuvash vĕre- ‘to boil’ and Common Turkic *özä- ‘to suffer’. Both can be traced back to Proto-Turkic *ör₂ǟ- ‘to burn (intransitive), be hot’, derived from *ör₂V-. The semantic shift from ‘to burn’ to figurative meanings such as ‘to grieve’ or ‘to take pains’ is widely attested across languages. The Proto-Turkic form may itself be a loanword from an unattested Proto-Tocharian cognate *u̯ʲər- of Proto-Indo-European *uerh₁- ‘to be hot’. This borrowing provides additional support for the rhotic nature of Proto-Turkic */r₂/. Furthermore, the paper connects Proto-Turkic *ör₂V- to Common Turkic *ört ‘flame’ and Chuvash virt ‘burning, fire’.

Studying Semantic Drift and How It Affects ESL Learners' Linguistics and Literary Understanding

This study delves into semantic drift or change in English words, paying particular attention to how some common words' meanings have changed over time. Language is constantly changing. The process by which a word's meaning changes over time is known as "semantic drift." Words can change in both their literal meaning and their actual use. This study analyzed semantic change from a different perspective. This research focused on words that change meaning quickly. English is another area of attention for this investigation. The study examines how well these users adjust to changes in meaning. Additionally, it enables us to assess users' level of knowledge regarding the many interpretations of the same words. Another objective of this study is to determine whether semantic change affects readers' comprehension of literature that employs the words that experienced semantic change. The findings present mixed results that add value to the quality paradigms of semantic drift-related knowledge, thus aligned with Goal 4 of UNICEF’s 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs). One important aspect of this study's quality was the creation of a closed-ended questionnaire that focused on fifteen words whose definitions have evolved throughout time. The 50 female responders represented a wide variety of educational backgrounds. The results were examined using pie chart analysis. The results showed that although the majority of ESL students can keep up with semantic change, a sizeable percentage still struggles to understand the process. The results also showed how little second-language English learners understand about the historical meanings of words. ESL pupils are unable to comprehend a word that has changed throughout time as it should be understood when it comes to literary work. This might be viewed as a drawback of semantic shift. Therefore, it was determined that while ESL students may adapt to change, the majority of them struggle to understand literature as it is meant to be comprehended.

LINGUO-STYLISTIC ANALYSIS OF EPITHETS IN UZBEK AND ENGLISH LANGUAGES

This article explores the translation transformations that occur when rendering epithets between Uzbek and English. Focusing on lexical, semantic shifts, the paper analyses instances where epithets are altered, omitted, added, or replaced during translation. The aim is to identify common patterns and challenges in conveying the nuanced meaning and aesthetic effect of epithets across these two linguistically and culturally distinct languages. The analysis highlights the crucial role of translator decisions in preserving or adapting the expressive power of epithets in the target text. Keywords: Translation Transformations, Epithets, Lexical Shift, Semantic Shift.