Lexemic change and semantic shift in disease names

Area of Science:

• Sociolinguistics
• Medical Anthropology
• Hispanic Health

Background:

• The linguistic practices of Mexican American women are influenced by bilingualism (Spanish and English) and the integration of diverse health systems.
• Code-switching and interference between languages are observed as participation in various health systems evolves.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the impact of bilingualism and multiple health systems on the medical lexicon of Mexican American women.
• To document linguistic adaptations in illness terminology reflecting cultural and medical acculturation.

Main Methods:

• Linguistic analysis of illness terms used by Mexican American women.
• Examination of borrowing, coining, dropping, and semantic shifting of medical vocabulary.
• Comparison of Spanish and English medical terms and their integration into a new medical culture.

Main Results:

• English disease names are sometimes borrowed or adapted into Spanish.
• Some Spanish terms are retained but undergo semantic shifts towards scientific medical concepts.
• Observed changes in the medical lexicon reflect the emergence of a new, hybrid medical culture.

Conclusions:

• The medical lexicon of Mexican American women is dynamic, adapting to bilingualism and evolving healthcare practices.
• Linguistic shifts indicate a process of acculturation and the integration of scientific medical understanding.
• These changes highlight the complex interplay between language, culture, and health in a bicultural community.