THE ROLE OF NEOLOGISMS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF CONTEMPORARY TERMINOLOGY

Abstract

This paper examines the critical role of neologisms in shaping and advancing modern specialized terminology. As society, science, and technology evolve at an unprecedented pace, new concepts, objects, and processes constantly emerge, creating a lexical gap. Neologisms—newly coined words or phrases—serve as the primary linguistic mechanism to fill this gap, driving the expansion and precision of terminological systems across fields such as information technology, biotechnology, economics, and social sciences. This study analyzes the main pathways of neologism formation (including borrowing, semantic shift, compounding, and abbreviation), their journey from creation to institutional acceptance, and the challenges inherent in their integration. The paper concludes that neologisms are not merely a byproduct of change but a fundamental, dynamic force in structuring contemporary knowledge, ensuring that language remains a viable and precise tool for expert communication and innovation.