noun
metalanguage
MET-uh-lang-gwij
Metalanguage (noun) means a set of words or symbols used to describe or discuss another language. Example: “Grammatical terms like 'noun' and 'verb' belong to the metalanguage linguists use.”
noun
1
linguistics A set of words or symbols used to describe or discuss another language.
"Grammatical terms like 'noun' and 'verb' belong to the metalanguage linguists use."
"Translators rely on a shared metalanguage to explain subtle differences between two languages."
"Critical theorists sometimes develop their own metalanguage to analyse a text."
2
computing A language used to define or describe the rules of a programming language.
"XML can act as a metalanguage for defining other markup languages."
"The compiler's grammar is written in a metalanguage rather than in the target language itself."
"Programmers sometimes design a small metalanguage just to specify a new tool's syntax."
How to use metalanguage
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA language used to talk about another language.
When to use it
A specialist term found mainly in linguistics, translation studies and computing.
Memory tip
Think of grammar terms like 'noun' and 'verb'; that vocabulary is itself a metalanguage.
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Common pairings
shared metalanguage
metalanguage of grammar
define in a metalanguage
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Fill the gap
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Grammatical terms like 'noun' and 'verb' belong to the _____ linguists use.
Etymology
Formed by adding the prefix meta-, meaning beyond or about, to the ordinary word language.
Rhymes for metalanguage
See all rhymes for metalanguage →Frequently asked questions
What is a metalanguage?
It is a language or set of terms used to describe or analyse another language.
How is metalanguage used in computing?
In computing, a metalanguage is used to define the rules or grammar of a programming language.
What's an example of a metalanguage?
Grammatical vocabulary such as 'noun' and 'verb' is a simple example of a metalanguage used to talk about language.
What is the meaning of metalanguage?
"metalanguage" (noun) means a set of words or symbols used to describe or discuss another language.
