"analogy"Meghatározása és Jelentése

What is "analogy"?

In linguistics, analogy is a process by which language users create new words or forms based on the patterns and structures of existing words. This occurs when similarities in sound or meaning lead to the formation of new expressions that follow familiar patterns. For example, if someone creates the past tense "stealed" based on the pattern of "sealed," they are using analogy. Analogy can also influence changes in grammar, pronunciation, and word formation, allowing language to evolve as speakers draw on existing knowledge to fill gaps or create new forms. It plays an important role in the development of vocabulary and the standardization of language over time.