LANGUAGE CONTACT AND BORROWING IN URBAN MULTILINGUAL SETTINGS

Abstract

Urban multilingual environments are complex linguistic ecosystems where multiple languages coexist, interact, and continuously influence each other. In such contexts, language contact leads to various outcomes such as borrowing, code-switching, lexical innovation, and structural convergence. Among these, borrowing is one of the most visible and systematic processes, especially under the influence of global languages like English. This article explores the nature of language contact and borrowing in urban multilingual settings, focusing on sociolinguistic, educational, and technological factors that shape these processes. It also examines implications for English Language Teaching (ELT), particularly in non-native English-speaking contexts where bilingual and multilingual practices are common.