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Languages

Systems of communication used by humans.

tongues dialects

Languages are systems of communication consisting of words, symbols, gestures, or sounds used by humans to express thoughts, ideas, and emotions. They vary widely across cultures and regions, with thousands of distinct languages spoken worldwide.

Etymology

The term 'languages' comes from the Old French word 'langage', meaning 'tongue, speech'.

Explain Like I’m 5

Languages are how people talk to each other, like English or Spanish, and they help us share ideas and stories.

Fun Facts

Basque is a unique language spoken in parts of Spain and France, with no known relation to any other known language
Mandarin Chinese has the most native speakers in the world, with over 900 million people speaking it
The oldest known written language is Sumerian, dating back to around 3200 BC

FAQ

What is a language? A system of communication using words, sounds, and gestures
How many languages are there? Estimates vary, but over 7,000 languages are spoken worldwide
What is linguistics? The scientific study of language

Hypernyms — Broader Categories

Communication Systems

Hyponyms — Specific Examples

English Spanish Mandarin

Meronyms — Parts or Components

Words Grammar Syntax

Holonyms — Wholes or Groups

Culture Society

Indexes

communication cultural expression structured

Related

Built by Tim Jones