From Neologisms to Idioms: Tracing Literary Innovation in the Evolution of the English Lexicon

Abstract

This study examines the interaction between literature and the development of the English lexicon, emphasizing the processes by which literary works produce neologisms and idiomatic terms. The project utilizes a[1] mixed-methods approach, integrating corpus-based analysis with historical investigation, to examine texts from the Old and Middle English periods to modern digital storytelling. The study examines processes including compounding, blending, borrowing, and semantic alterations to demonstrate how authors have consistently impacted language innovation, mirroring and affecting cultural and societal changes.

The findings indicate that literary innovation functions as both a reflection and a stimulus for lexical transformation, with historical texts establishing the foundation for contemporary language practices. The incorporation of digital literature underscores the dynamic evolution of vocabulary formation in reaction to globalization and technological progress. This thorough investigation enhances comprehension of literature's transformational role in promoting lexical innovation, providing significant insights for linguistic theory and practical applications in language education and lexicography.