Automating the Proposition of Neologisms for the Quechua Language

Camacho L. · Journal of the International Phonetic Association (2024) · DOI: 10.1017/s0025100324000227

Resumen

I introduce a discussion about the importance of coining new words for endangered languages. Coining new words is one of the many tasks that must be done to revitalize endangered languages. I propose a method for automating the process of coining new words and evaluate the method in the Quechua language. The method starts by collecting a list of English words, then translating these words into several other languages, generating a list for each language, and performing IPA notation of all lists; finally, a rule-based algorithm identifies words that match the phonotactics of the target language. The method can propose thousands of words as neologisms in the target language. © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of The International Phonetic Association.

Instituciones: Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú