Mapping neology: a comparative analysis of theoretical approaches in the European context
Mapping neology: a comparative analysis of theoretical approaches in the European context

Summary/Abstract: This article examines selected key theoretical approaches to neology in contemporary European linguistics, with particular emphasis on the French and Catalan traditions, as well as complementary perspectives from the Anglo-German framework. Rather than treating neology as a self-evident linguistic category, the study argues that the concept of neology is fundamentally theory-dependent, with its definition and scope varying according to underlying epistemological assumptions. The analysis focuses on how different approaches conceptualise the notion of neologism and how they classify lexical innovation. Adopting a qualitative meta-theoretical approach, the study compares five representative frameworks selected for their historical relevance, theoretical complementarity, and academic impact. The comparison is structured around four analytical dimensions: theoretical scope, conceptualization of neologism, functions of neology, and typological criteria. The findings reveal both significant convergences and notable divergences. The selected approaches broadly converge on the dynamic, context-dependent nature of neology and the inadequacy of single-criterion definitions. However, they differ substantially in their delimitation of what counts as a neologism, their analytical focus – ranging from product to process to discourse – and their typology models. The evolution of neological studies is interpreted as a gradual shift from structurally oriented and product-based models toward more dynamic, usage-based, and discursive perspectives. This shift reflects a broader tendency in linguistics to integrate cognitive, social, and pragmatic dimensions into the analysis of language. The article concludes that a comprehensive understanding of neology requires an integrative framework capable of accommodating its multidimensional and evolving nature.

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