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Loan translation is the exact same thing as a 'calque' 🤝. It's when you borrow a word or phrase from another language and translate it piece by piece. The outcome is a new expression in your language that mirrors the original's structure. It is like taking a foreign phrase and reconstructing it in your own language. It's a form of linguistic borrowing but done very literally. Consider it a word-for-word adaptation.
The term 'loan translation' clearly conveys its meaning: something 'loaned' (borrowed) and then 'translated.' It highlights the dual nature of the process – borrowing from one language and then converting it literally into another. The term is straightforward and descriptive.
In 'Stranger Things,' if Eleven started using a phrase she heard from a Russian character and translated it directly into English, that would be an example of loan translation. It shows how characters can introduce new linguistic elements into a story. 👽
Since 'loan translation' is just another name for 'calque,' remember the examples you learned earlier! You can use both terms interchangeably to impress your friends and teachers. Now you have two ways to describe this linguistic phenomenon! Two for the price of one! 🤩
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