spoken language

USAGE SUMMARY

'spoken language' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the language used in conversation, or to distinguish spoken language from written language. For example, "Written language is often much more formal than spoken language."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The alternative formats were (i) pen & paper self-completion, (ii) pen & paper assisted completion in a spoken language, (iii) partially-assisted completion in a spoken language, and (iv) independent audio-delivery in a spoken language.

BMC Health Services Research

We chose spoken language, primarily.

The New York Times

The spoken language is English.

Encyclopedia Britannica

She fell in love with spoken language.

The New Yorker

Undoubtedly in the spoken language.

The Guardian - Books

So does the spoken language.

The New York Times

The temporal structure of spoken language understanding.

Nature

…meaningful phrases of the spoken language.

Britannica

(In written as in spoken language, Savage prefers all caps).

The New Yorker

But spoken language is more than just semantics.

The New York Times - Magazine

But even our spoken language is overwhelmingly historical in nature.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing "spoken language" with written language, ensure you clearly define the specific features or aspects you are contrasting, such as formality, structure, or vocabulary.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "spoken language" is inherently ungrammatical or unstructured. While it often differs from formal written language, it still adheres to rules and patterns, even if these are less rigid.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "spoken language" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It identifies a specific type of language – that which is orally produced and received. Ludwig examples show its use in contrasting it with written forms.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

36%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "spoken language" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase that effectively differentiates between oral and written forms of communication. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and suitable for use in written English. It commonly appears in "News & Media" and "Science", as well as encyclopedic contexts, demonstrating its broad applicability. While alternatives like "oral language" or "verbal communication" exist, "spoken language" offers a specific emphasis on the act of speaking. When using the term, it's important to avoid assumptions about its formality or structure, and recognize its unique characteristics compared to written language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

oral language

Replaces "spoken" with its synonym "oral", emphasizing the vocal aspect of language.

vocal language

Highlights the vocal nature of the language, similar to "oral language".

speech

A more concise term for the act of speaking, often used interchangeably.

language in speech

Emphasizes the form of language as it is used in speaking.

language as spoken

Rephrases to emphasize the spoken modality of language.

verbal communication

Focuses on the communicative aspect using words, whether spoken or written.

the spoken word

Highlights the importance of voice and speaking.

spoken discourse

Highlights the structured and communicative aspect of spoken language.

conversational language

Focuses on language used in conversation, implying informality and interaction.

articulated language

Emphasizes the clear and distinct pronunciation of words.

FAQs

How is "spoken language" different from written language?

"Spoken language" is typically more informal, uses simpler sentence structures, and includes features like pauses, fillers, and intonation. Written language is generally more formal, follows stricter grammatical rules, and allows for more complex sentence constructions.

What are some examples of features unique to "spoken language"?

Unique features of "spoken language" include the use of slang, colloquialisms, contractions, and a reliance on context and non-verbal cues for understanding. Also consider that "oral language" is spontaneous.

In what contexts is the term "spoken language" most often used?

The term "spoken language" is frequently used in linguistics, education, communication studies, and technology (such as speech recognition software) to distinguish between the oral and written forms of a language.

What's the difference between "spoken language" and "verbal communication"?

"Spoken language" specifically refers to the oral form of language. "Verbal communication", however, encompasses both spoken and written communication, as it includes any form of communication that uses words.