French Lexicon in English Diplomatic Discourse: Prestige, Precision, and Functional Hierarchy
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.69760/aghel.026002010Ключевые слова:
diplomatic discourse, French borrowings in English, lexical prestige, semantic precision, linguistic hierarchyАннотация
This article examines the role and ongoing relevance of French lexical borrowings in contemporary English diplomatic discourse. Although English is the dominant global language of international relations, its formal, institutional, and professional registers remain strongly influenced by vocabulary of French origin. These lexical units function as markers of prestige and authority while also enhancing semantic precision, especially in legal, procedural, and political contexts where ambiguity must be minimized. The study argues that French borrowings should not be viewed merely as historical remnants of linguistic contact, but as essential tools that ensure clarity, neutrality, and stylistic refinement in communication of diplomats. Through a systematic analysis of key lexical units of French derivation, the paper shows how they contribute to hierarchical register formation and enable nuanced expression in complex communicative environments. Furthermore, the findings demonstrate that the coexistence of Germanic and Romance elements in English creates a highly flexible linguistic system. This dual structure allows speakers to shift between emotional expressiveness and institutional formality, thereby addressing the diverse communicative requirements of modern diplomatic discourse.
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