Paper short abstract:

Language activists often see loanwords as problematic, especially in lesser-used languages. Recently attempts have been made to crowd-source native neologisms in two small European languages, Estonian and West Frisian. This paper looks at the linguistic ideologies and realities involved.

Paper long abstract:

The influx of loanwords is often seen as a problem by language activists and planners, especially for lesser-used or minority languages. Nativist interventions in response to such linguistic foreignisms can take a variety of forms; historically, one typical pattern was for a quasi-governmental Academy to lay down which native forms should be used. More recently attempts have been made to crowd-source native neologisms, though of course the 'experts' have not entirely given over their role to lay language-users as they are still in charge of choosing which of the suggested items to approve and promote. It is in such a light that I wish to discuss at two recent language campaigns involving two small European languages, Estonian and West Frisian: the 'Sõnaus' events in Estonia (2002, 2010, 2014) and 'It Moaiste Fryske wurd' competitions in the Dutch province of Friesland (2011, 2013, 2014). In looking at which words are considering to require replacement, and what are adjudged suitable replacements, the talk will focus on both linguistic ideology and morphology.