single language

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "single language" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a language that is used exclusively or primarily, often in the context of communication or programming. Example: "The software was designed to operate in a single language, ensuring consistency across all user interfaces."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Armenian, like Greek, is a single language.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Aleut is a single language with two surviving dialects.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In other areas, a single language family covers a broad area or spread zone.

The New York Times - Science

"English and French are a single language," Wallace Stevens wrote in his "Adagia".

The Guardian - Books

A cohesive community of resilient, employable people needs a single language as a foundation.

The Guardian - Opinion

Some commenters sarcastically wondered aloud whether Spanish and Portuguese should be considered a single language.

The Economist

Greek, despite its numerous dialects, has been a single language throughout its history.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Subjects' questionnaire responses revealed that the majority of subjects within a single language-country pair had common interpretations of bother.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

Support for this model comes from studies of single language-impaired cases and larger cohorts of individuals with ASD or particular microdeletion/duplication syndromes.

European Journal of Human Genetics

Now, Hapag-Lloyd's single-language German ships are gaining market share in its home country.

The Economist

Wiktionary, a Wikimedia project much like Wikipedia, can work as a single-language dictionary, with over 3.6m entries.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing code, specify if the system is designed for a "single language" to ensure clarity on its capabilities and limitations.

Common error

Be mindful that "single language" refers to a language as a whole, not dialects. For example, avoid stating that Cantonese and Mandarin are dialects of a "single language" when they are often considered distinct languages.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "single language" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It describes the characteristic of something being related to or existing in only one language. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is commonly used and grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

24%

News & Media

24%

Encyclopedias

16%

Less common in

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

12%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "single language" is a grammatically correct and frequently used term that indicates something exists in or pertains to only one language. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's commonly found in various contexts, including scientific research, news reports, and encyclopedic articles. While alternatives like "one language" or "sole language" can be used, "single language" effectively conveys the idea of exclusivity or limitation to one language. When using this phrase, ensure you are clear about whether you are referring to a language as a whole versus its dialects to avoid ambiguity. Remember that as the high number of examples confirms, it is a versatile tool for precision in communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

one language

Replaces "single" with "one", maintaining the core meaning of a solitary language.

sole language

Replaces "single" with "sole", emphasizing the exclusivity of the language.

unique language

Highlights the distinct and individual nature of the language.

exclusive language

Emphasizes the restricted or limited use of a particular language.

isolated language

Indicates a language that is not related to other languages or is used in a limited area.

standard language

Refers to a language variety used by a community as its chief means of communication.

unified language

Suggests a language that brings different groups together.

common language

Emphasizes shared understanding and communication.

national language

Indicates a language that has a special status in a country.

native tongue

A more informal way to refer to someone's primary language.

FAQs

How can I use "single language" in a sentence?

You can use "single language" to describe a situation where only one language is used, such as "The software is available in a "single language" version" or "The entire class was taught in a "single language"".

What is the difference between "single language" and "unified language"?

"Single language" simply indicates the presence of one language. "Unified language" implies that multiple languages or dialects have been combined or standardized into "a single language".

When is it appropriate to use "sole language" instead of "single language"?

"Sole language" is appropriate when emphasizing the exclusivity of a language. For instance, "English was the "sole language" spoken at the conference", meaning no other language was used.

Is it correct to say that all dialects belong to a "single language"?

While dialects are variations of a language, not all linguists agree on the definition of a language versus a dialect. Some variations are so distinct they are considered separate languages, even if they share a common ancestor. Thus, not all dialects can definitively be said to belong to a "single language".