language
language — 名詞
1. the natural human ability to use sounds, words, and grammatical rules in order t
溝通系統
人類用聲音與詞句溝通的能力
the natural human ability to use sounds, words, and grammatical rules in order to share thoughts, information, and feelings with others
Talia believes that learning a second language as a child helps the brain develop.
Talia 認為，小時候學習第二語言有助於大腦發展。
The study of language explores how people across the world form sentences.
語言學探討世界各地的人們如何組成句子。
uncountable: 'language' without article for general concept
Without language, passing complex ideas from one generation to the next would be impossible.
沒有語言，將複雜的思想代代相傳是不可能的。
All human societies have developed some form of spoken language over time.
所有的人類社會自古以來都發展出某種溝通系統。
Christopher wrote a short essay about the history of language for his class.
Christopher 寫了一篇關於語言歷史的短文交給課堂。
- speech
more specific, focuses on spoken rather than written communication
- communication
broader — includes gestures, signs, and images, not just words and grammar
- verbal expression
more formal; emphasises the act of putting thoughts into words
- silence
the absence of spoken communication
文法句型
the + language + of
language + is
human + language
用法筆記
Uncountable in this sense — do not say 'a language' when referring to the general human ability to communicate.
常見錯誤
2. a particular system of words, pronunciation, and grammar that is spoken or writt
特定語言
某國家、地區或群體使用的語言
a particular system of words, pronunciation, and grammar that is spoken or written by the people of a specific country, region, or community
Jiwoo speaks three languages fluently — Korean, English, and Japanese.
Jiwoo 能流利地說三種語言——韓語、英語和日語。
The Portuguese language is spoken by more than two hundred million people worldwide.
葡萄牙語在全球有超過兩億人口使用。
countable: 'a language' / 'the [adj] language' patterns
Aarav's grandparents speak a regional language that is different from the national one.
Aarav 的祖父母說一種與該國官方語言不同的地方語言。
Many young people in Taiwan learn a third language in addition to Mandarin and English.
台灣許多年輕人在中文和英文之外，還會學習第三種語言。
Hoa asked her aunt to teach her the traditional language of their village.
Hoa 請她的阿姨教她家鄉的傳統語言。
文法句型
a + language
the + [nationality] + language
[country] + language
speak + language
用法筆記
Countable when referring to a specific named language system ('three languages,' 'a language I learned'). Also used uncountably with the definite article when naming the language: 'the French language.'
常見錯誤
3. a carefully designed set of symbols, words, and rules that programmers use to wr
程式語言
用來編寫電腦程式的符號規則
a carefully designed set of symbols, words, and rules that programmers use to write instructions for computers to follow
Liam learned the Python programming language to build data analysis tools.
Liam 學習了 Python 程式語言來建立數據分析工具。
JavaScript is a common language used to make websites interactive.
JavaScript 是一種常用來製作互動式網頁的語言。
Mateo chose the C++ language for his robotics project because of its speed.
Mateo 因為 C++ 的速度而選擇用它來做機器人專題。
Some languages are designed for beginners who have never written code before.
有些語言是為從未寫過程式碼的初學者而設計的。
- programming language
the full, more precise term
- coding language
more informal; widely used among developers
- scripting language
a subtype used for automating tasks, not full application development
文法句型
programming + language
a + language
[name] + language
用法筆記
Countable when naming specific programming languages ('Python is a language'). Like sense 2, the structure 'the Java language' is common.
常見錯誤
4. the particular choice of words, sentence structures, and tone that a person or g
用語風格
個人說話或寫作的詞句方式
the particular choice of words, sentence structures, and tone that a person or group uses when speaking or writing in a given situation
The prime minister's language grew more aggressive during the election campaign.
總理在選舉期間的用語風格變得越來越帶有攻擊性。
Femi admired the rich, poetic language in the novel about rural Nigeria.
Femi 很欣賞那本關於奈及利亞鄉村的小說中豐富而詩意的語言。
[adjective] + language: describing style or register
Astrid used clear, simple language when explaining the contract to her client.
Astrid 用淺顯易懂的語言向她的客戶解釋合約內容。
The academic language in that journal article was too difficult for me to follow.
那篇期刊論文中的學術語言太難了，我無法理解。
The candidate's aggressive language during the debate turned off many voters.
那位候選人在辯論中使用的攻擊性措辭讓許多選民反感。
- diction
more technical; refers specifically to word choice in speech or writing
- phraseology
more formal; emphasises the typical way of arranging phrases
- register
linguistics term for the level of formality in a given context
文法句型
[adjective] + language
the + language + of
用法筆記
Almost always appears with a preceding adjective or modifying phrase that describes the type of expression (formal, poetic, legal, everyday, etc.).
常見錯誤
5. the collection of specialized words and expressions that belong to a particular
專業術語
特定領域使用的專門詞彙
the collection of specialized words and expressions that belong to a particular job, academic field, or area of activity
Medical language can be confusing for patients reading their own test results.
醫學用語常常讓病人在閱讀自己的檢驗報告時感到困惑。
Hamza did not understand the legal language in the rental agreement.
Hamza 看不懂租賃合約裡的法律用語。
The mechanic used technical language that none of the customers could follow.
那位技師使用的專業術語，在場的顧客全都聽不懂。
Teachers try to avoid academic language when speaking to young children in class.
老師們在對年幼的孩子說話時，會盡量避免使用學術用語。
- jargon
can have a negative connotation of being unnecessarily complicated or exclusive
- terminology
more formal; refers to the set of terms in a field
- specialist vocabulary
emphasises that the words are not used in everyday speech
- plain English
everyday language without technical terms
文法句型
[field] + language
the + language + of + [field]
用法筆記
Frequently modified by a field-name adjective (medical, legal, technical) or 'the language of [field].' This sense overlaps with 'jargon' but is more neutral.
6. words that are considered rude, offensive, or socially unacceptable, especially
髒話；粗話
粗魯或冒犯他人的言語
words that are considered rude, offensive, or socially unacceptable, especially swear words or vulgar expressions
The film contains strong language and may not be suitable for children.
這部電影含有粗話，可能不適合兒童觀看。
Mert's mother told him to watch his language when his younger cousins visited.
Mert 的媽媽叫他在表弟妹來訪時注意自己的措辭。
fixed phrase: 'watch your language' — a polite warning
Some radio stations remove bad language before playing songs on air.
有些廣播電台在播放歌曲前會先刪除其中的不雅用語。
The coach warned the players that foul language would result in a fine.
教練警告球員，說髒話將會被罰款。
- swear words
more specific; refers only to individual taboo words like profanities
- profanity
more formal; refers to language that shows disrespect for sacred things
- curse words
common in American English; slightly less intense than 'swear words'
- polite language
speech that follows social rules of respect and courtesy
文法句型
bad + language
strong + language
foul + language
用法筆記
Never used alone without a modifier in this sense. 'He used language' does not clearly mean swearing; you need 'bad,' 'strong,' or 'foul.'
常見錯誤
7. a system of signs, movements, gestures, sounds, or symbols that people or animal
非語言溝通
用動作、手勢等表達想法的方式
a system of signs, movements, gestures, sounds, or symbols that people or animals use to express ideas, feelings, or information without using words
Élise could tell from his body language that he did not agree with her.
Élise 從他的肢體語言可以看出他不同意她的看法。
Sign language allows deaf people to communicate naturally using hand movements.
手語讓聽障人士能夠透過手勢自然地與人溝通。
common fixed expression: 'body language' / 'sign language'
Dogs use a rich language of barks, growls, and tail wags to show their feelings.
狗兒用豐富的汪汪叫、低吼聲和搖尾巴來表達情緒。
The designer used the language of color to create a calm atmosphere in the office.
設計師利用色彩進行非語言溝通，在辦公室裡營造出平靜的氛圍。
Bees communicate through the language of dance to tell other bees where food is.
蜜蜂透過舞蹈的語言來告訴其他蜜蜂食物的位置。
- non-verbal communication
more formal; covers all communication without words
- gestures
narrower — only hand and body movements, not sounds or symbols
- signs
focuses on conventionalised symbols rather than natural expressions
- spoken language
verbal communication using words
文法句型
[modifier] + language
the + language + of
用法筆記
Almost always requires a modifier ('body language,' 'sign language,' 'the language of dance') to specify the type of non-verbal system being referred to.