Suffix borrowing and conflict through Latin-Greek hybrid formations

Abstract

In the widely explored domain of language contact between Latin and Greek, interference can surface in a peculiar way through hybrid formations that, although classified as indirect borrowing and sometimes considered as marginal phenomena, are nonetheless relevant to the dynamics of bilingualism. Under this assumption, this paper examines the diffusion of the borrowed suffix -ĭnus, and the creation of hybrids, with a focus on the functional and semantic overlaps between various morphemes. The discussion shows that these mechanisms can offer interesting perspectives not only on language contact, but also on language change.

Keywords

• Language contact
• Borrowing
• Bilingualism
• Greek