interlanguage etymology

Etymology

  • Inter: Latin prefix meaning "between, among"
  • Language: From Old French "language," ultimately from Latin "lingua" (tongue)

Meaning and Origin

Interlanguage is a term used in linguistics to refer to a pidgin or creole language that develops as a means of communication between speakers of different first languages. Interlanguages often arise in situations where people from different linguistic backgrounds come into contact, such as in trade, travel, or colonization.

Interlanguages are often characterized by their simplified grammar and vocabulary, which makes them relatively easy for speakers of different languages to learn and use. They may also incorporate elements from multiple languages, resulting in a unique and distinct linguistic structure.

The concept of interlanguage was first developed by American linguist Larry Selinker in the 1970s. Selinker argued that interlanguages are not simply temporary or degenerate forms of language, but rather stable and systematic linguistic systems that can serve a variety of communicative functions.

Examples of interlanguages include:

  • Tok Pisin: A pidgin language used in Papua New Guinea, which incorporates elements from English, German, and local Papuan languages.
  • Jamaican Patois: A creole language spoken in Jamaica, which developed from a blend of English and African languages.
  • Esperanto: A constructed language designed to facilitate international communication, which incorporates elements from various European languages.

Interlanguages play an important role in communication, especially in situations where there is no common first language. They can also provide insights into the processes of language acquisition and language change.

interlanguage relate terms

  • language

    Etymology The term etymology derives from the Greek word etymon meaning true sense

  • entertain

    Etymology Derivatives of the word entertain include Old French entartenir to hol

  • enterprise

    Etymology The term enterprise has its origins in the Old French word entreprendre fo

  • intelligence

    Etymology Latin intelligentia understanding knowledge wisdom From inter among

  • koine

    Etymology From Greek κοινή koiné lit common Meaning and Origin Koine

  • surrogate

    Etymology The term surrogate etymology is derived from the Latin words Surrogare T

  • gentile

    Etymology The word gentile originates from the Latin word gens which means nation

  • comprehensive

    Etymology Comprehensive is derived from the Latin phrase comprehendere which means

  • image

    Etymology The word image comes from the Latin word imago which in turn comes from th

  • awkward

    Etymology The word awkward comes from the Middle English word awke meaning left han

  • almond

    Etymology The word almond comes from the Latin word amygdăla which in turn is deri

  • career

    Etymology Late Middle English cariere from Anglo Norman French cariere from Old Fren