FEATURED NEOLOGISM:

Favorite neologism: „Wellenbrecher-Lockdown“ (German)
This neologism emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic in late 2020. It combines Wellenbrecher (“breakwater,” a structure protecting coasts from waves) with Lockdown, framing temporary restrictions as a protective barrier to “break the wave” of infections. Structurally, it’s a compound that vividly blends a maritime metaphor (Welle for “wave”) with an anglicism (Lockdown), underscoring how metaphors and loanwords co-create new meaning. Its popularity shows how crisis discourse fosters inventive blends to shape public understanding.

I am a linguist with expertise in construction grammar, lexical semantics, and corpus-based methods, with a strong focus on idiomatic and metaphorical innovations in German and Chinese. My recent DFG-funded project investigates networks of idiomatic constructions using large-scale corpora and computational modeling, highlighting how lexical creativity reflects cultural and cognitive patterns. I have published on semantic change, neologism uptake, and metaphor-driven word formation, and actively collaborate with international teams on cross-linguistic lexical studies. My research aligns closely with the COST Action’s goals, particularly in defining core neological terminology, applying digital tools, and promoting multilingual lexical awareness. More: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Bin-Zhang-63?ev=prf_overview