Borrowed Words in English from 10 Languages | Reader’s Theater Script

This set of 10 Reader's Theater Script explores borrowed words from 10 languages and a bit of history about where they came from. This includes words from Turkish, Spanish, Portuguese, Japanese, Italian, Hindi, German, French, Dutch, and Arabic. Students read an interactive narrative instead of reading a dry textbook or passively listen to a video or lecture. This activity will help develop listening and speaking skills as students practice expressive voice acting.

Due to the relatively short nature of these scripts with only ~6 characters each, these are great for centers and small groups. Students can be highly engaged and read through multiple scripts in one class period.

Try a few similar, FREE, scripts first to see these will meet your needs.

Each script includes an editable DOCX format (each approx 12 pages) which contain:

1) Teacher Tips & Answer Key

• CCSS Alignment
• Teacher Tips for use as both RT and Play/Skit
• Answer Keys for Worksheet
• Themes & Discussion Question Prompts

2) Readers Theater Script

• ~6 Characters, 1600~1700 words

3) Script Worksheet

• 10 Vocabulary Words
• 10 Short-Answer Comprehension Questions: Comprehension and recall questions based solely on the script

Teaching Tips for Using the Script:

• For digital classrooms, upload the DOCX Script and convert to Google docs
• For More Students: Main character can be read by multiple students.
• For Less Students: Minor characters can be read by just one student.
• This script should take about ~20 minutes and depending on your classroom's level it may be suitable for other grade levels.
• An extra ~25 minutes for prep, discussion, vocabulary or short answer comprehension questions should also be planned.

10 Script Summaries:

Arabic: This script traces the influence of Arabic on modern English. It explores how the Golden Age of Arabic brought new ideas to Europe and how key words—such as “algebra,” “alcohol,” “sugar,” “coffee,” and “safari”—evolved from Arabic roots into terms we use every day.

Dutch: This script explores how Dutch language and culture have influenced modern English. It traces historical Dutch power in maritime trade and colonization, explains the entry of key words such as “koekje,” “baas,” and “jacht” into English, and shows how whole-word borrowings like “waffle,” “frolic,” “skipper,” and “Santa Claus” remain in our vocabulary today.

French: This script explores the influence of French on modern English. In Act 1, we learn about the historical impact of French following the Norman Conquest and during the Renaissance, as well as the fields (law, cuisine, diplomacy) where French words entered English. Act 2 focuses on the root “chef,” explaining its origin from Latin caput and its evolution into modern terms for leadership in kitchens and organizations. Act 3 examines “ballet,” its origins in French culture, and its lasting impact on dance. Act 4 discusses the French verb “entreprendre” and its derivatives in business. Act 5 reviews whole-word borrowings from French, such as “rendezvous,” “cuisine,” “entrepreneur,” and “boulevard,” showing their modern usage in everyday English.

German: This script explores how the German language has influenced modern English. It begins by examining German’s historical role in Central Europe and highlights key figures like Martin Luther and Goethe. The script then focuses on specific German-derived words—such as “strudel,” “lager,” “wanderlust,” “kindergarten,” “doppelgänger,” “über,” and “schadenfreude”—explaining their origins, evolution, and modern usage.

Hindi: This script explores the influence of Hindi (and related Indian languages) on modern English. It traces how historical events like the British Raj and trade led to the borrowing of words such as “bungalow,” “jungle,” “loot,” “pundit,” “avatar,” “khaki,” “veranda,” as well as additional loanwords like “raj,” “pajamas,” and “curry.” The script also shows how these words have evolved in modern usage.

Italian: This script examines the impact of Italian on modern English. In Act 1, we learn about Italian’s evolution from Latin during the Renaissance and how art, music, and cuisine helped introduce Italian vocabulary. Act 2 focuses on the word “pizza,” tracing its origins from the dialect word “pitta” in Naples to its modern global recognition. Act 3 explores “pasta,” detailing its history as a staple of Italian cuisine and its common usage in English today. Act 4 delves into the word “maestro,” showing how it came to denote mastery in music and other fields. Finally, Act 5 reviews whole-word borrowings like “opera” and “cappuccino,” highlighting their cultural significance in modern English.

Japanese: This script traces how Japanese words have entered modern English. It begins with a look at Japan’s historical and cultural influence during the Meiji Restoration and beyond, then examines the origins and modern uses of specific words—“tsunami,” “karaoke,” “anime,” and whole-word borrowings like “tycoon,” “origami,” “emoji,” and “sushi.” The script explains the original meanings from Japanese and shows how they have adapted to everyday language worldwide.

Portuguese: This script explores the influence of Portuguese on modern English vocabulary. It traces the historical impact of Portuguese during the Age of Discoveries and shows how words such as “embargo,” “fetish,” “cobra,” and several whole-word borrowings have been adopted into everyday language. The script explains both the original meanings and the modern adaptations of these words.

Spanish: This script explores how Spanish has influenced modern English. In Act 1, we review the evolution of Spanish from Latin and its role during the Age of Exploration, showing how early borrowings like “cargo” and “armada” entered English. Act 2 focuses on the root guerra (“war”), seen in words such as “guerrilla.” Act 3 examines lagarto (“lizard”), explaining its evolution into “alligator.” Act 4 explores the diminutive suffixes -ito/-ita and their use in words like “mosquito” and “burrito.” Finally, Act 5 looks at whole-word borrowings—“fiesta,” “siesta,” “macho,” and “adiós”—and their cultural impact and modern usage.

Turkish: This script explores how Turkish language and culture have influenced modern English vocabulary. It covers the historical reach of the Ottoman Empire and details the origins of words such as “kebab,” “pilaf,” “baklava,” and whole-word borrowings like “yogurt,” “kiosk,” “sultan,” and “coffee.” The script also shows how these words are used today in everyday language and digital communication.