Language ˈlæŋɡwɪdʒ English Learn Speak People Foreign German

• the english language
• it takes a long time to learn to speak a language well.
• all the children must learn a foreign language.
• german is my native language.

language

1. the system of communication in speech and writing that is used by people of a particular country or area
• SEE ALSO first language
  https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/first-language
• the English language
• It takes a long time to learn to speak a language well.
• All the children must learn a foreign language.
• German is my native language.
• Is English an official language in your country?
• The novel has been translated into over twenty languages.
• She has a good command of the Spanish language.
• Good language skills are essential in this job.
• They fell in love in spite of the language barrier (= the difficulty of communicating when people speak different languages).
• Why study Latin? It's a dead language (= no longer spoken by anyone).

Extra Examples

• How many foreign languages does she speak?
• Most local cinemas show films in the original language, with German subtitles.
• Portuguese is the national language of Brazil.
• She grew up in Mexico, so her first language is Spanish.
• Some minority languages are dying out.
• idiomatic expressions that enrich the language
• manuscripts written in an unknown language
• the teaching of English as a second language
• She's got a degree in modern languages.
• She could speak some Chinese, but never studied the written language.
2. the use by humans of a system of sounds and words to communicate
• SEE ALSO artificial language
  https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/artificial-language
• a qualification in language teaching
• a study of language acquisition in two-year-olds
• Language is constantly evolving.

Extra Examples

• theories about the origins of language
• new methods of language learning
• Her command of language is very advanced for a six-year-old.
3. a particular style of speaking or writing
• SEE ALSO bad language
  https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/bad-language
• spoken/written language
• literary/poetic language
• foul language (= words that people may consider offensive)
• The poem uses distinctly modern language.
• His strength is that he addresses his readers in plain language.
• the language of science

Extra Examples

• Give your instructions in everyday language.
• They were shouting and using bad/foul language.
• The following programme contains strong language.
• people using foul language
• She reserved her harshest language for those she believed had betrayed her.
• His letter was couched in very formal language.
• The writer's use of language reflects the personality of each character.
4. a way of expressing ideas and feelings using movements, symbols and sound
• SEE ALSO body language
  https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/body-language
• the language of mime
• the language of dolphins/bees
5. a system of symbols and rules that is used to operate a computer
• SEE ALSO assembly language
  https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/assembly-language
• a programming language
6. to be careful about what you say in order not to upset or offend somebody
• Watch your language, young man!
• The referee told the players to mind their language.
7. to be able to communicate easily with another person because you share similar opinions and experience

Word Origin

• Middle English: from Old French langage, based on Latin lingua ‘tongue’.