language
A1Neutral
Definition
Meaning
A system of communication consisting of sounds, words, and grammar used by humans.
A system of symbols, rules, or expressions used for communication, programming, or expression within a specific field (e.g., computer language, body language, the language of art).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily an uncountable noun referring to the abstract human faculty of communication. Also a countable noun for specific systems (e.g., English, French). Can be used figuratively to describe symbolic systems in various domains.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major differences in core meaning. Minor spelling preferences in derivatives (e.g., BrE 'linguist', AmE also 'linguist'; but BrE favours '-ise' spellings as in 'language standardisation'). Collocational preferences may vary slightly (e.g., BrE 'language laboratory', AmE often 'language lab').
Connotations
Identical.
Frequency
Equally frequent in all registers.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
Language of + [topic/field]Language for + [purpose]Language in + [context]Language with + [feature]Speak/write in + [language]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “speak the same language”
- “mind your language”
- “use colourful language”
- “lost in translation”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to professional jargon, corporate communication style, and language of contracts (e.g., 'the language of the agreement is quite complex').
Academic
Central term in linguistics; used to discuss theories of language acquisition, language families, and discourse analysis.
Everyday
Used to talk about learning, speaking, or understanding a specific tongue (e.g., 'What languages do you speak?').
Technical
In computing: a formal system of syntax and semantics (e.g., 'Python is a high-level programming language').
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Rarely used as a verb. In computing: 'The system is languaged in C++.'
American English
- Rarely used as a verb. In computing: 'The application is languaged in Java.'
adverb
British English
- No standard adverb form. Use 'linguistically' (e.g., 'The region is linguistically diverse.').
American English
- No standard adverb form. Use 'linguistically' (e.g., 'He is linguistically gifted.').
adjective
British English
- The language centre offers free courses.
- We need a language assessment.
American English
- The language center provides tutoring.
- She has strong language skills.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- English is an international language.
- Children learn language very quickly.
- I speak two languages.
- The official languages of Canada are English and French.
- Body language can reveal a lot about a person's feelings.
- He used very formal language in his email.
- The poet is celebrated for his rich and evocative use of language.
- Legal language is often difficult for laypeople to understand.
- The rapid evolution of internet language poses challenges for translators.
- The theory posits that language acquisition is an innate human faculty.
- Her analysis deftly deconstructs the patriarchal language inherent in the text.
- The conference addressed the language of sustainability in corporate reporting.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a LANG (short for 'linguist') wearing a GUAGE (like a gauge/meter). The linguist's gauge measures how well you speak a language.
Conceptual Metaphor
LANGUAGE IS A TOOL, LANGUAGE IS A CONTAINER (of ideas), LANGUAGE IS A LIVING ORGANISM (it evolves/dies).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid using 'language' for 'speech' as in a formal address (use 'speech' or 'address').
- The Russian word 'язык' can mean both 'language' and 'tongue' (the body part); in English, 'tongue' for language is poetic/archaic.
- Do not use 'the English language' when 'English' alone is sufficient (e.g., 'I study English', not 'I study the English language').
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'I study a German language.' Correct: 'I study German.' or 'I study the German language.'
- Incorrect: 'She speaks a very good English.' Correct: 'She speaks very good English.'
- Confusing 'language' with 'dialect' or 'accent'.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'language' used figuratively?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is both. Uncountable when referring to the human faculty (e.g., 'Human language is complex'). Countable when referring to specific systems (e.g., 'European languages').
A 'language' is typically a standardized system with a written form and official status. A 'dialect' is a regional or social variety of a language, often with distinct pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar, but usually mutually intelligible with the standard language. The distinction is often political as much as linguistic.
A dead language is one that no longer has any native speakers, although it may still be studied or used for specific purposes (e.g., Latin, Ancient Greek).
In scientific contexts, researchers may study 'animal communication' or 'bee language', but in standard usage, 'language' implies the complex, rule-based system unique to humans. Terms like 'body language' or 'the language of music' are metaphorical extensions.
Collections
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B1 · 48 words · Cultural experiences and traveling the world.