Structural models of somatisms in the Norwegian language

Abstract

The development of any language has always been the focus of close attention and thorough study in linguistics, especially at different historical stages. The Norwegian language is a good example to trace the development of anatomical terminology based on its historical stages, including Norwegian somatisms as well as those from other languages, mainly Latin and Greek, including the word-forming elements. Starting with Ancient Scandinavian through the period of Christianity, the Hanseatic League and further on, several structural models have been identified and distinguished. Each period is associated with adoption and adaptation (assimilation) of somatisms. The first group includes one-word somatisms of Germanic origin, one-word non-assimilated and assimilated somatisms of Latin or Greek origin. The second and the largest group consists of two-word somatisms formed by compounding according to different models based on different parts of speech (noun, adjective, numeral, and verb) and the word-forming elements. Each element in a collocation is represented by either a norwegianized Latin or a native part. Three-word somatisms are not so numerous in anatomical terminology. Despite its seeming simplicity, compounding is an interesting phenomenon for studying due to many patterns of combining words in the formation of somatisms. Concerning compounding special remarks are made, taking into account combinatory flexibility and plasticity of the Norwegian language, which makes it possible to enrich its anatomical vocabulary at low cost and to use its own language capacity and resources for developing this language segment.