ABBREVIATION AS A PRODUCTIVE WAY OF CREATION OF LEXICAL UNITS IN GERMANIC LANGUAGES (BASED ON ENGLISH AND GERMAN)

Abstract

The article is devoted to the study of the phenomenon of reduction of lexical units in Germanic languages. Abbreviation is such a common way of word formation in Germanic languages that scientists are developing special dictionaries that collect abbreviations and provide their interpretations. The paper analyzes how abbreviations appear, function, and evolve in English and German. The study examines linguistic mechanisms and sociocultural factors that influence the processes of reduction of lexical units in English and German. It is established that abbreviations are used in all spheres of human activity. The following types of reduction of lexical units have been identified in the paper: abbreviations (abbreviated words created from the first letters (or from other parts) of a complex word combination), truncation (abbreviation of a long word while preserving its main meaning), and contamination (combination of parts of two words to form a new term). Abbreviations are divided into those that are formed from the first letters of a word or phrase and are pronounced as one word; and those that are pronounced as separate letters. The impact of digital communication and globalization on the development of abbreviations in both languages have also been examined. It has been found that the development of Internet communication contributes to the more frequent use of abbreviations, because their creation is based on the principle of linguistic economy. It has been found out that English and German often borrow abbreviations from each other. The main groups of abbreviations in the German language have been identified and illustrated in the article, namely: common general abbreviations; abbreviations related to German linguistics; geographical abbreviations; abbreviations from the fields of religion and history; abbreviations from various branches of science; abbreviations inherent in other languages. The following advantages of using abbreviations have been highlighted in the article, namely: saving time and space in oral and written communication; promoting standardization of terminology by avoiding long terms and phrases; ensuring clear and precise communication; facilitating the repetition of frequently used terms.