national language

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "national language" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe the official language of a particular country. For example, "English is the national language of the United States of America."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The national language is Arabic.

The New Yorker

Nauruan is the national language.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Indonesian (Bahasa Indonesia) is the national language.

Encyclopedia Britannica

(He visited Brazil, whose national language is Portuguese, in 2007).

The New York Times

Careful now...9 48: English as the national language?

The Economist

President Sukarno gave Indonesia independence and a national language.

The New York Times

French is the national language, spoken and taught everywhere.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Dutch, formally called Netherlandic, is the national language of the Netherlands and with French is a national language of Belgium.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He almost always spoke English, not Urdu, the national language.

The New York Times

Luxembourgish language, also called Lëtzebuergesch, Letzeburgisch, Luxembourgian, Luxemburgian, or Luxembourgeois, national language of Luxembourg.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Hausa is recognized as an indigenous national language in the constitutions of both Nigeria and Niger.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "national language" to denote the language that symbolizes a nation's identity and is promoted by the government, even if other languages are also spoken.

Common error

Avoid assuming that every country has only one "national language". Some countries may have multiple official languages or no designated "national language" at all.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "national language" functions primarily as a noun phrase, identifying the language that holds a special status within a country, often representing its cultural identity and being used for official purposes. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is correct and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

24%

News & Media

24%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "national language" is a common and grammatically sound way to refer to a country's officially recognized or culturally significant language. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread usage across various sources. While often used interchangeably with "official language", it's important to consider the specific context and nuances, as some countries may have multiple official languages or no designated "national language" at all. When writing about language use, clarity and specificity are crucial to avoid ambiguity. Using alternatives like "official language" or "dominant language" may provide greater precision in certain situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

official language

This term refers to the language legally designated by a country's government.

official tongue

A more stylistic, less common synonym for "official language".

state language

Similar to "official language", this phrase emphasizes the language's role in government and legal affairs.

recognized language

This refers to a language acknowledged by a country, offering broader scope than an official designation.

dominant language

This refers to the most widely spoken language in a country, which may or may not be the official one.

indigenous language

Emphasizes the language's origin within a specific region or country, and connection to the original inhabitants.

native language

This term emphasizes the language's origin within a specific country or region.

vernacular language

Refers to the language or dialect that is spoken by the ordinary people in a particular country or region.

mother tongue

Refers to a person's native language, but doesn't necessarily relate to the official language of a country.

lingua franca

A language used among people who speak various different languages.

FAQs

How is "national language" different from "official language"?

The term "national language" often carries cultural and symbolic significance, representing a country's identity. An "official language", on the other hand, is designated for governmental and administrative use, and a country might have multiple official languages but only one national language.

Is it correct to assume every country has a "national language"?

No, not all countries have a designated "national language". Some countries have multiple official languages, while others may not have formally declared any language as the "national language".

What can I say instead of "national language"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "official language", "state language", or "dominant language". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Why is it important to specify "national language" over other spoken languages?

Specifying the "national language" helps clarify which language is promoted by the government and symbolizes the nation's identity, distinguishing it from other regional or minority languages spoken within the country.