Motor- ir moto-: tarptautiniai skoliniai ir lietuviški dariniai
Motor- and moto-: international borrowings and Lithuanian derivatives and compounds

Summary/Abstract: In one hundred years the micro-system of words has been slowly developing, modified and standardized. However, the process has not been and could not have been very consistent and smooth; still, the result could be defined as having achieved 90 per cent of success. Of course, there are some gaps left; and generally, the process has not been completed as yet. In actual use preference is given to the international element of French origin moto-, well preserved in borrowings and native derivatives and compounds. The English motor- gave rise to native new words only, whereas their base motoras ('engine, motor') has been substituted by the Lithuanian word variklis. To avoid the norm-violating compound benzopjūklas ('petrol saw'), there was motorpjūklis suggested as an appropriate native compound. However, it is not the only mandatory pattern. The English borrowing motorsportas with the English motor- cannot be possibly approved and adopted. That the micro-systems of words evolving and developing through ages are not homogeneous, their conformity with the norm is not a consistent process often accepting variable forms, is not just a conclusion of this and many other analyses, but also a prerequisite for further research. A uniform homogeneity cannot be achieved; the only feasible situation would be a balance between heterogeneous members of the microsystem.

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