foreign tongue

USAGE SUMMARY

"foreign tongue" is an acceptable phrase in written English.
It is often used to describe a language other than one's own native language. For example, "I studied French in order to learn a foreign tongue."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A. Prop., as a foreigner would, in a foreign tongue: Demophilus scripsit; Marcus vortit barbare, i. e. b.

Harvard University

Standard, Florentine Italian was a foreign tongue to him.

The New Yorker

Human voices shouting, crying, asking questions in a foreign tongue.

The New Yorker

Knowing — and learning to read in — a foreign tongue heightens and complicates my relationship to sentences.

The New York Times

MOST political leaders struggle to speak fluently in a foreign tongue.

The Economist

They say they don't want to read me translated from a foreign tongue.

The New Yorker

English isn't his first language, but even in a foreign tongue, his confidence seemed to resurface.

The New York Times - Magazine

"The Arabic language was a foreign tongue in our own country," he said.

The New Yorker

"It was some foreign tongue, sounded Arabic but I'm not too good with languages," Charles says.

The New Yorker

Wasn't there many a priest called it the foreign tongue, Father?" "I'm sorry you've fallen on hard times, Donal".

The New Yorker

If a foreigner speaks Chinese with the slightest accent, he'd think the guy was speaking a foreign tongue".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "foreign tongue" when you want to emphasize the unfamiliarity or otherness of a language, especially in contexts discussing cultural or personal experiences.

Common error

Avoid using "foreign tongue" in highly technical or linguistic contexts where more precise terms like "L2" (second language) or specific language classifications are more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "foreign tongue" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a verb or preposition. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is grammatically correct, appearing in diverse contexts to describe a non-native language. The examples from Ludwig showcase its use in literary and journalistic settings.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

20%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Science

2%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "foreign tongue" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. It describes a language that is not native to a speaker or location, often carrying connotations of unfamiliarity or otherness. Predominantly found in News & Media and Academia, the phrase serves to categorize languages and highlight experiences related to linguistic diversity. Alternatives include ""foreign language"" and "non-native language". While versatile, it's best used in general contexts and avoided in highly technical discussions where specific linguistic terms are more suitable. Overall, "foreign tongue" remains a valuable and descriptive phrase in the English language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

foreign language

A direct synonym, simply using the adjective "foreign".

non-native language

Focuses on the language's status as not being native to the speaker or location.

second language

Emphasizes the language's role as one learned after the native language.

alien language

Highlights the unfamiliar or strange nature of the language.

acquired language

Focuses on the process of learning the language.

unfamiliar language

Similar to "unknown language", highlighting a lack of prior experience.

tongue not one's own

A more formal and slightly archaic way of expressing the concept.

unknown language

Emphasizes the lack of familiarity with the language.

learned language

Focuses on the language being acquired through study.

international language

Highlights global usage rather than just non-nativeness.

FAQs

How can I use "foreign tongue" in a sentence?

You can use "foreign tongue" to describe a language that is not native to a person or place. For example, "Learning a "foreign language" can be challenging but rewarding".

What is another way to say "foreign tongue"?

Alternatives to "foreign tongue" include ""foreign language"", "second language", or "non-native language", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "speaking in a foreign tongue"?

Yes, "speaking in a foreign tongue" is grammatically correct and commonly used. It means speaking in a language that is not one's native language.

What's the difference between "foreign language" and "foreign tongue"?

"Foreign language" is a more common and neutral term. "Foreign tongue" can sometimes carry a slightly more evocative or literary connotation.