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metalanguage

Noun CEFR C1

Definitions

  1. Any language or vocabulary of terms used to describe or analyze a language or linguistic process.
    countable, uncountable
  2. Any similar language used to define a programming language
    countable, uncountable

Equivalents

Españolmetalenguaje
Françaismétalangage
DeutschMetasprache
18 more languages

Examples

“In order⟳ to talk⟳ or theorise about phenomena, one inevitably uses a language that is in effect a metalanguage, a special instance of language that allows the theorist to stand⟳ back and describe⟳ what is happening.”

CEFR level

C1
Advanced
This word is part of the CEFR C1 vocabulary — advanced level.
See all C1 English words →

See also

Metalanguages metalate metalation metalaw metalaxyl metalayer

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