Abstract

Language change is a permanent and continuing process. On the one hand, some words become outdated and obsolete (Archaism). On the other hand, new words are created and used today (Neologism). There are new words which are used only once or seldom (Occasionalism) and others which become very popular. There is a difference between “Häufigkeitswörtern” (words of high incidence) which are used very often and “Trendwörtern” (trend words) which refer to phenomena being just of great importance and actuality. There are also “Modewörter” (fashion words, buzzwords) which everybody uses all the time. Buzzwords are not looked upon as an enrichment of vocabulary by all people. Some of them refuse these words, thinking of them as unnecessary and calling them “Neudeutsch”. But they can be found in several newspaper articles. In this essay, some examples are cited and analyzed. Buzzwords which are used very often can develop into mere word sleeves with little meaning. For example, there exist many famous signals of agreement or contradiction in conversations as response or comment to the remarks of a dialogue partner. Instead of a short and clear Yes!, unnecessary fillers are used. There are also special words which are connected to different worldwide crises. New popular words were produced in the field of information technology and the present teenage slang has brought popular words into the vocabulary of general language. The influence of English vocabulary on the German language is remarkable. People try to increase their personal prestige by using widespread words that stand for cultural and linguistical developments in the USA — the country which is regarded as very progressive. Many Anglicisms became part of the German language, but are often rejected as “Denglish” and “Neudeutsch” by language purists.