THE HERITAGE OF THE LANGUAGES OF EUROPE AND LATIN IN MODERN MARITIME ENGLISH

Abstract

Modern maritime English used on ships and in the maritime industry contains a large number of words and expressions borrowed from European languages, especially Latin and other Romance languages, as well as Anglo-Saxon heritage. The paper analyzes the distinct features of English maritime terminology focusing on the formation and use of terms to describe maritime concepts. It highlights the importance of mastering this specialized vocabulary for professionals in the maritime field emphasizing its role in clear communication, safety, and operational efficiency. Knowledge of maritime terminology is crucial for anyone working in the maritime industry. This includes professionals like seafarers, ship owners, port authorities, and anyone involved in shipping, navigation, and maritime safety. In turn, English is commonly used as a lingua franca for communication among diverse groups of people, especially in situations where participants may have different native languages. Much of the communication in English within maritime settings including ports, docks, fairways, straits and international sea routes is conducted by non-native English speakers. This is because English has become the global lingua franca of the sea, even though many participants in this communication are learning English as a second language. The navy plays a critical role in a nation’s power and prosperity, and the skills of its sailors are highly valued. A strong navy can project power, protect trade routes, and deter potential aggressors contributing to a country’s overall security and economic well-being. The professional qualities of sailors including their courage, honor, commitment, and accountability are essential for the navy’s success and are highly respected. Therefore, the etymology of the vocabulary of shipbuilding and navigation or maritime terms deserves special attention. The article describes the origin of maritime terms in the English language. The terminologies of the main European languages develop in close contact; therefore, the comparative study of terminological processes acquires special significance. This is why specific features of the corresponding lexical systems were identified, as well as correlations among the conceptual model of native English speakers within the framework of the studied area of knowledge. The origin of maritime terms in English is considered; the analysis of maritime terms is conducted; their etymology is studied; they are grouped by the languages from which they originate.