General Languages Vocabulary
A global language –A language that is understood almost everywhere you go. For example, English.
Accent – A distinctive type of pronunciation determined by a person’s country/region
A Latin/Romance language – Languages that evolved from Latin. For example, Spanish, French, Italian, and Portuguese
A minority language – A language spoken by less than 50% of the people in a region/country
Articulate – Possessing the ability to speak coherently and fluently
Bilingual – The ability to speak two languages
Common language – Language that can be understood by two or more people.
Cultural identity – Part of a person’s self-perceived identity related to culture, nationality, language etc…
Daunting – Frightening
Dominant language – The language spoken the most, either by a person or in a place
Fluency – The ability to use a foreign language correctly and easily
Indigenous languages – Languages that are native to a specific region and spoken by indigenous people. For example, Mayan, Quechua etc…
Language acquisition – The process of perceiving, understanding, and learning a language
Linguist – A person who studies languages
Linguistics – The study of languages
Multilingual – A person who speaks more than two languages
Persistent – To keep trying at something
Rapport – The friendliness and harmony you establish with someone by interacting/talking to them
Second language – A language spoken in addition to your native language
To instruct – To teach someone a subject or ability such as a language
To learn – To acquire or gain knowledge
To reproduce language – To use language that has been previously learnt
To speak /To Talk – Say something to convey information, feelings, and opinions
Widely spoken – Spoken by a large number of people or in many places
Language Idioms, Phrasal Verbs, and Collocations
A competitive edge – An advantage based on success or competence
At a loss for words – Unable to speak because of shock or surprise
Colourful/Fruity language – Language that contains lots of swear words or profanities
Flowery language – When complicated words are used instead of simple ones
Grab one’s attention – Something that makes you interested
In plain English – In a simple, non-complicated way
Learn by heart – To memorise something
Look up – To search for a word in a dictionary
Make out – To understand/comprehend words or language
Native language/Mother tongue – The language a person grows up speaking
Open up – To become less shy and more communicative
Oral skills – The ability/proficiency at speaking
Pick up a language – To learn a language
Polish up on /Brush up on – To practice or improve something previously learnt
Predominantly in/ spoken in – Mostly in / Spoken mostly in
Speak a language – Have the ability to express yourself in a particular language
Speak up – To increase the volume of speech / To express your opinion about something
Speaking the same language – Shared feelings and ideas. Not necessarily about language.
Talking in circles – Not getting directly to the point
Technical language – Advanced vocabulary that is usually subject-specific. For example, medical or legal English
Watch your language – Be careful about the words you choose. Often said when someone is saying profanity or swear words
Words fail me – So shocked or surprised that you don’t know what to say