According to Haspelmath, one of the most visible sociolinguistics factors that have the biggest influence on the borrowing of words is called widespread bilingualism, which is also referred to as intensity of contact (2008: 10). Following Thomason and Kaufman, Haspelmath provides scale of intensity contact which can be divided into five groups:
(1): casual contact,
(2): slightly more intense contact,
(3): more intense contact,
(4): strong cultural pressure,
(5): very strong cultural pressure).
The study of Brown on intensity of language contact reveals the fact that for Native Americans borrowed more words from Spanish language rather than from English or French. This happens because users of Native American languages were exposed to Spanish more often and sooner than other languages. This contact somehow forced native societies to acquire other language in order to communicate and …show more content…
As it was mentioned before in the chapter one, people tend to borrow words from other languages if a targeted language is perceived or considered as prestigious. Even though, prestige of the language matters, sometimes borrowing happens between two languages even without prestigious status of one of them or when language is considered as prestigious, however there are many users who use it on a daily basis. (
2.1.1. Purism
Some scholars claim that different cultures have peculiar approach towards borrowing. It is claimed that some cultures and nations try to avoid borrowing like for example “(…)Icelander are purists and hence their language has very few loanwords, cf. tölva ‘computer’, útvarp ‘radio’, etc.).” (Haspelmath 2008: 10).
Unfortunately, this is only a thesis which yet hasn’t been approved since there is no academic work with a higher degree, it is hard to accept this thesis and provide undeniable proof (Haspelmath 2008: 11).
2.1.2. Genealogical