linguistic
relating to language or speech
Connected to language or how people use language to communicate.
linguistic [noun]
- The study focused on the linguistic abilities of young children.
- There are clear linguistic differences between the two regions.
- Her job involves assessing students’ linguistic skills in English and Spanish.
- Linguistic diversity is an important part of cultural heritage.
- They examined the linguistic features of online chat messages.
- The test checks your linguistic skills in English.
- Children show strong linguistic development in their first years.
- He has a rich linguistic background and speaks three languages.
- Linguistic differences can make communication hard.
- We studied the basic linguistic features of simple English sentences.
relating to linguistics as a field
Connected to the scientific study of language, called linguistics.
linguistic [noun]
- The course introduces key concepts in modern linguistic theory.
- Her thesis is based on detailed linguistic analysis of spoken corpora.
- The paper argues that there is little linguistic evidence for that claim.
- He specializes in linguistic research on language acquisition.
- Different linguistic frameworks offer competing explanations for the same data.
- I want to do linguistic research at university.
- This book gives an overview of basic linguistic theory.
- We used real conversations as linguistic data in the study.
- Linguistic analysis can show patterns that are hard to see by eye.
- They looked for linguistic evidence to support their idea.
- Base: linguistic
linguistic analysis
1systematic study of language data
Careful study of language data to find patterns in sounds, words, or grammar.
- Linguistic analysis showed that the two dialects are closely related.
- The course trains students to carry out basic linguistic analysis.
linguistic background
1someone’s language history
The languages a person grew up with and has learned or used in life.
- Students in the class have very different linguistic backgrounds.
- Her linguistic background helps her learn new languages quickly.
linguistic barrier
1communication problem due to language
A problem in communication because people do not share the same language well.
- A strong linguistic barrier made it hard to work with the local team.
- Translation services can help overcome linguistic barriers in hospitals.
linguistic change
1language changing over time
The way a language slowly becomes different over years and centuries.
- Linguistic change is natural and continuous.
- The internet may speed up certain types of linguistic change.
linguistic community
1group sharing a common language
A group of people who regularly use the same language or language variety.
- Online forums have created new kinds of linguistic communities.
- The study focused on the linguistic community of a small island.
linguistic competence
1internal knowledge of language rules
A speaker’s hidden, mental knowledge of how their language works, not just what they actually say.
- The theory distinguishes between linguistic competence and actual language use.
- Children develop linguistic competence long before they can explain grammar rules.
linguistic diversity
1variety of languages in an area
The fact that many different languages are used in one place or group.
- The city is known for its high linguistic diversity.
- Policies should protect linguistic diversity in schools.
linguistic evidence
1language data as support
Examples from language (words, sentences, recordings) that support or oppose an idea in research.
- There is little linguistic evidence for that proposed rule.
- Linguistic evidence from old texts shows how the sound system has changed.
linguistic features
1specific elements of a language
Parts or properties of a language, such as sounds, word endings, or sentence patterns.
- They compared the linguistic features of formal and informal emails.
- The teacher highlighted several linguistic features typical of academic writing.
linguistic landscape
1visible language in public spaces
All the written language you see in public places, such as on signs, ads, and shop names, in a specific area.
- The city’s linguistic landscape shows signs in four different languages.
- Researchers photographed the linguistic landscape of the neighborhood for their study.
linguistic minority
1group using a non-majority language
A group of people whose main language is not the main language of the country or region they live in.
- The new law aims to protect linguistic minorities.
- Children from linguistic minority groups often need extra language support.
linguistic rights
1rights related to language use
Legal and social rights that protect a person’s ability to use their own language, for example in school or in public life.
- Activists are calling for stronger linguistic rights for indigenous communities.
- Linguistic rights are often linked to cultural and political rights.
linguistic skills
1ability to use language well
A person’s ability to understand and use language, especially in speaking, listening, reading, and writing.
- The job requires strong linguistic skills in both English and French.
- Early reading can help children develop better linguistic skills.
linguistic theory
1system of ideas about language
A set of ideas that tries to explain how language is built and how people use it.
- The book gives an introduction to major linguistic theories.
- Different linguistic theories often disagree about how grammar is organized in the mind.