Appearance and changes of terms

Abstract

Appearance and changes of terms  

The paper systematically surveys the reasons for changes in onomastic terminology. First the question of when an expression can be considered a term is discussed, as this condition essentially determines the further investigation. The author goes on to describe the external (extralinguistic) and internal (intralinguistic) reasons for the appearance of a term, emphasizing that the boundaries between these two categories are blurred. Weakening and strengthening factors, i.e. factors contributing to the obsolescence of a term or to the narrowing of its applicability and factors supporting the spread and consolidation of a term are also explored. Finally, the results of these changes are surveyed highlighting that with respect to the provided examples the described states are only snapshots, as changes are taking place at present as well.