1. the process or result of creating a calque; the borrowing of a word or phrase structure from another language by translating it literally into the native language
Usage: linguistics term; also called 'loan translation'

1. to create a calque; to borrow a word or phrase structure from another language by translating it literally
Usage: linguistics term; present participle of 'calque'

Examples

• The English phrase 'skyscraper' is a calquing of the German 'Wolkenkratzer'.
• Linguists study calquing as a major mechanism of language contact and borrowing.
• French speakers are calquing English expressions into their language at an increasing rate.
• The term 'weekend' in many European languages resulted from calquing the English word.
• Calquing differs from direct borrowing because the structure is translated rather than the word itself adopted.
• Translators sometimes engage in calquing when they want to preserve the original meaning and structure.