mutually intelligible

USAGE SUMMARY

“mutually intelligible” is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means that two people or groups have a common understanding or language. For example, “The members of the United Nations must find a way of communicating that is mutually intelligible to all cultures.”.

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Two mutually intelligible dialects survive, Eastern Aleut and Atkan Aleut.

Encyclopedia Britannica

British Sign Language and American Sign Language are not mutually intelligible.

The New York Times

The national standards (General American, RP in Britain and so on) are nearly 100% mutually intelligible.

The Economist

Both of these mutually intelligible languages are used in government and education.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Despite the vast area over which Balochi is spoken, its numerous dialects are all mutually intelligible.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The languages of the eastern group, moreover, cannot have been themselves mutually intelligible.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This is usually a vehicle for national identity, even if it has mutually intelligible neighbours.

The Economist

Perhaps this influence has helped them to remain more or less mutually intelligible.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Gheg and Tosk have been diverging for at least a millennium, and their less extreme forms are mutually intelligible.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It is closely related to Norwegian, with which it is mutually intelligible, especially in the written form.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Normally, dialects of the same language are considered to be mutually intelligible, while different languages are not.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To emphasize clarity, ensure the context makes clear who or what is mutually intelligible. For instance, specify which dialects or systems you're referring to.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "mutually intelligible" implies perfect understanding. Dialects described as such may still have nuances or slang that cause occasional confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mutually intelligible" functions primarily as an adjective phrase modifying nouns (usually languages, dialects, or communication systems). It describes the quality of being understandable between two or more entities. This aligns with Ludwig's examples that showcase languages sharing a degree of comprehensibility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

35%

News & Media

24%

Science

21%

Less common in

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

0.01%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "mutually intelligible" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adjective phrase that signifies a degree of comprehensibility between different languages, dialects, or communication systems. Ludwig provides a wide array of examples illustrating its use in encyclopedias, news media, and scientific contexts. It's important to note, as reinforced by Ludwig AI, that while "mutually intelligible" suggests ease of understanding, it doesn't necessarily imply perfect comprehension. Related alternatives like "easily understandable" and "comprehensible to each other" can be considered based on specific nuance and context. When employing the phrase, ensure clarity regarding who or what is "mutually intelligible" to avoid any potential ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mutually understandable

Focuses on the shared aspect of understanding.

intelligible to one another

Highlights the reciprocal aspect of being understood.

comprehensible to each other

Specifies the reciprocal understanding between parties.

easily understandable

Emphasizes ease of comprehension.

readily comprehensible

Highlights quick and easy understanding.

able to be understood by both parties

More explicitly states the condition of understanding.

compatible languages

Focuses on languages allowing for mutual understanding.

languages that can be easily interpreted

Highlights ease of linguistic interpretation.

easy to follow

Emphasizes the straightforward nature of the communication.

clear and unambiguous

Focuses on clarity and lack of confusion.

FAQs

How is "mutually intelligible" used in linguistics?

In linguistics, "mutually intelligible" describes languages or dialects where speakers can understand each other with relative ease. This is often used to differentiate between dialects of the same language versus separate languages.

What determines if two languages are "mutually intelligible"?

Mutual intelligibility is determined by the degree to which speakers of different languages can understand each other. Factors include shared vocabulary, similar grammar, and comparable pronunciation. However, there's no precise threshold; it's often a matter of degree.

Which languages are considered "mutually intelligible" with English?

No other languages are generally considered fully mutually intelligible with English. While some Germanic languages like Scots share roots, differences in pronunciation and grammar prevent easy understanding. The phrase "easily understandable" is more apt to describe similarities between them.

What are some examples of "mutually intelligible" languages?

Examples include Serbian, Croatian, and Bosnian, which are often considered mutually intelligible dialects of a single language. Similarly, Danish, Norwegian, and Swedish share significant intelligibility, though regional dialects can pose challenges. Remember the phrase "comprehensible to each other" will help.