Anglicize: meaning, definitions and examples

🇬🇧
Add to dictionary

Anglicize

 

[ˈaŋɡlɪsaɪz ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

language

To make or become English in form, culture, or character.

Synonyms

Briticize, Britishize, Englishize.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
Anglicize

To adapt a word, name, or custom to make it sound or look more English. Often used in language and cultural contexts.

  • Many names of foreign places are Anglicized in English maps and texts.
  • They decided to Anglicize their surname to fit in better.

Examples of usage

  • He anglicized his last name when he moved to London.
  • The new generation of immigrants quickly anglicized to fit into their new country.
Context #2 | Verb

language

To adapt or modify (a word, language, or custom) to fit the English language or culture.

Synonyms

adapt, adjust, modify.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
Anglicize

Use when you specifically want to make something more English in form or character, often relating to names, language, or culture.

  • Many immigrants choose to Anglicize their names when they move to an English-speaking country.
  • The author decided to Anglicize the text to make it more accessible to English readers.
adapt

Use when you need to change something to suit a new purpose, condition, or situation. It's often used for minor changes to fit a new context.

  • The company had to adapt its strategies to survive the economic downturn.
  • She adapted quickly to the new work environment.
modify

Use when making changes to something to improve it, make it less extreme, or tailor it to specific needs. This term is broader and can apply to physical objects, plans, or concepts.

  • They decided to modify the car to make it faster.
  • The teacher modified the lesson plan to better suit the students' needs.
adjust

Use when making small changes to something to achieve a desired outcome or to suit new conditions. It often refers to fine-tuning or calibrating.

  • He adjusted the seat to a more comfortable position.
  • You might need to adjust the settings on your computer.

Examples of usage

  • She anglicized the pronunciation of her name so that others could say it more easily.
  • The restaurant anglicized the menu to cater to a broader clientele.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The term 'Anglicize' comes from the root 'Anglo-', referring to the English people, combined with the verb 'to -ize' which means to make or to become.
  • The word entered the English language in the 19th century, reflecting a period marked by cultural exchanges and the expansion of the British Empire.

Cultural Adaptation

  • Many place names across the world have been Anglicized; for instance, 'Beijing' was once known as 'Peking' in English.
  • Anglicizing can also happen to personal names; for example, the Spanish name 'Javier' may be anglicized to 'Harvey'.

Linguistic Changes

  • Languages constantly evolve; what may have begun as an Anglicization can become widely accepted, like the term 'pasta' from Italian.
  • Some critics argue that excessive Anglicization leads to cultural erosion, where unique elements of a language are lost.

Pop Culture

  • In movies, characters from non-English speaking countries often have their names altered to fit more comfortably with English speakers' accents.
  • Television shows have popularized Anglicized versions of foreign stories, leading to adaptations that reflect English sensibilities.

Education

  • In language learning, students are taught to Anglicize vocabulary from their native languages to aid in comprehension during initial learning stages.
  • The practice of Anglicizing can foster a deeper understanding of English phonetics and grammar rules among non-native speakers.

Translations

Translations of the word "Anglicize" in other languages:

🇵🇹 anglicizar

🇮🇳 अंग्रेज़ीकरण करना

🇩🇪 anglisieren

🇮🇩 menganglikanisasi

🇺🇦 англізувати

🇵🇱 anglizować

🇯🇵 英語化する (eigo-ka suru)

🇫🇷 angliciser

🇪🇸 anglicizar

🇹🇷 İngilizleştirmek

🇰🇷 영어화하다 (yeong-eohwahada)

🇸🇦 إنجليز

🇨🇿 anglicizovat

🇸🇰 anglicizovať

🇨🇳 英文化 (yīngwénhuà)

🇸🇮 anglicizirati

🇮🇸 enska

🇰🇿 ағылшындандыру

🇬🇪 გაანგლიურება

🇦🇿 ingilisləşdirmək

🇲🇽 anglicizar