COVID-19 Pandemic and The Impacts of Neologism on Language Vocabulary

Abstract

The corona virus disease has impacted virtually everybody in the world today by introducing various changes leading to what has come to be known as the new normal. The paper analyses how the English language has been able to adapt to the changes that COVID -19 has occasioned. Because it is dynamic, language changes to accommodate new happenings in society by introducing or coining completely new words into their vocabulary through word acquiring formation processes such as blending, acronym or through old words acquiring new meaning (semantic shift) or old words gaining currency due to an emerging and trending situation. These word formation processes are examples of neologisms. This paper therefore examines neologism and its Impact on language vocabulary during the outbreak of COVID-19. Through a qualitative method of analysis, the researcher obtains and analyse information on what we consider a trending issue. ln this study, the researcher used the term neologism which means the coinage of new words. Neologism played a significant role throughout the history of pandemic. This study however, is on the impacts of neologism on language vocabulary which has helped to explore the creation of new words during the outbreak of COVlD-I9. The theoretical framework of this study is based on the functional theory proposed by Halliday (2013) which states that language changes according to the needs of its users. Data were collected from articles, social media and newspapers. The findings of this study revealed that with the outbreak of COVID-19, people use new words created in communication, the word-formation is utilized in the form of nouns, adjectives, and verbs. The abbreviations and acronyms are also used which are related to the current situation of COVlD-19. Neologisms have however portrayed colourful presentation of word formation which is now used in various social and cultural practices of respective societies