If I invent a word, what language is it?

I invented a word using medical terminology, Latin and maybe a bit of Greek. (I'm not honestly sure of the etymology of all the morphemes.) Considering that this word is primarily not of English origin, what language is it? Can I call it an English word?

Taking it a step further, what about medical terminology? Can it be called English when it really is no more than a compilation of Latin morphemes?


Solution 1:

Language is a consensus between the speaker and listener. Lots of English words (arguably most of them, but let's not get too technical) originate from other languages. Words like "orange" or "beef" or "feng shui". Because the speaker and listener are speaking the same language, and the words are understood, the words can be considered part of that language.

Solution 2:

If you use the word when speaking English, then it is an English word.

Solution 3:

If you invent a word, it is a word of your idiolect. Someone's idiolect is their very own twist on their language, their dialect and their sosiolect. You can say, if the language is the species, the dialect is the subspecies (race), then the idiolect is the specimen.

So, technically, if you speak English, the word is a part of the English language, but more specifically, your idiolect. Other things included in someone's idiolect is their self-made portmanteaux, and their erroneous pronunciation and misuse of words.