deprived of language

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "deprived of language" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone is lacking the ability to communicate verbally or express themselves through language. Example: "The child, having grown up in isolation, was completely deprived of language and struggled to connect with others."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

In fact, there is some evidence that people who can speak more fluently receive better medical care; patients deprived of language are often subject to abuse.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

He is interested in the long-term effects on émigrés who "may appear well adapted but, especially as they move towards old age, are still suffering from having been ostracised, deprived of country, family, language.

The Guardian - Books

"If there is extra money available," Bob Brown motioned in parliament, "I suggest that it go to ensuring that Indigenous people in Australia who are being deprived of their first languages be given an education in their first languages and that we stop some first languages going to extinction in this country.

Vice

"Imagine if you went somewhere new and were deprived of knowledge of a local language and merely picked up the useful bits you heard to get yourself fed," he said, explaining its evolution.

The New York Times

Hagège is especially shaky in his early implication that the death of a language deprives people of language itself, a hallmark of being human.

Forbes

Who or what would we be, stripped down to our bare selves, deprived of all we have learned, even language?

The Guardian - Books

Without the VRA's protections, Congress wrote, the evidence is clear that "racial and language minority citizens will be deprived of the opportunity to exercise their right to vote, or will have their votes diluted".

Huffington Post

Global-South spaces are either overshadowed by global-North ideologies or deprived of agency in much of the scholarship on languaging and discourse.

Bandung: Journal of the Global South

Language is twisted and fragmented and deprived of its power to communicate, reflecting the writer's horror at the emptiness of much verbal interchange.

The New York Times

So many children deprived of learning, many of whom are in the most sensitive neurological phase for language, math, and science lessons.

Huffington Post

Turkey's Kurds have long been deprived of their political, cultural and economic rights, often forced to relinquish the teaching of their language in their schools, and never allowed to create any political groups.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "deprived of language", ensure the context clearly indicates whether the deprivation is due to a physical condition, a social environment, or other factors. Be specific to enhance clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "deprived of language" when "lacking language skills" is more appropriate. "Deprived of language" suggests a complete absence, while "lacking skills" acknowledges some ability, however limited, to use language.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "deprived of language" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun, indicating a state of lacking language. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in describing a condition of lacking verbal communication skills.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "deprived of language" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that signifies a lack of linguistic ability. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase accurately describes situations where individuals or groups lack the capacity to communicate effectively through language. While not extremely common, it appears in diverse contexts, including news, science, and formal business writing. To enhance clarity, specify the cause of the deprivation. Alternatives such as "lacking linguistic ability" or "non-verbal" may be appropriate depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stripped of language

Suggests that language has been forcibly taken away.

unable to communicate verbally

Specifically addresses the inability to use spoken words.

non-verbal

Describes someone who does not use spoken language as their primary means of communication.

lacking linguistic ability

Focuses on the ability to use language rather than the presence of language itself.

language-impaired

Indicates a specific impairment affecting language abilities.

without access to language

Emphasizes the lack of opportunity or means to use language.

devoid of linguistic expression

Emphasizes the absence of language in expressing thoughts or feelings.

linguistically disadvantaged

Highlights the disadvantage resulting from the lack of language skills.

unable to articulate

Highlights the difficulty in expressing oneself clearly through language.

speechless

Implies a temporary inability to speak, often due to shock or surprise.

FAQs

How can I use "deprived of language" in a sentence?

You can use "deprived of language" to describe someone who lacks the ability to communicate verbally. For example: "The child, having grown up in isolation, was completely deprived of language and struggled to connect with others."

What's a good substitute for "deprived of language"?

Alternatives include "lacking linguistic ability", "without access to language", or "non-verbal", depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to say "deprived of language" or "lacking language skills"?

"Deprived of language" implies a complete absence of language, while "lacking language skills" suggests some level of linguistic ability. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the degree of language deficiency.

What does it mean to be "deprived of language"?

Being "deprived of language" signifies the absence of the ability to understand or use language effectively, often due to environmental or developmental factors.