meta-language

noun

UK /ˈmɛtəˌlæŋɡwɪdʒ/

US /ˈmɛtəˌlæŋɡwɪdʒ/

A special language we use to talk about another language.

When the teacher explains grammar rules, she is using meta-language.

SYNONYMS

metalanguage technical language jargon terminology specialist vocabulary

RELATED WORDS

language grammar linguistics vocabulary terminology

OTHER MEANINGS

2. The set of words and symbols used to describe or analyze a formal language, such as in logic or computing.

In computer science, the meta-language describes the rules of a programming language.

3. Language used to talk about language itself, such as words like 'noun' or 'sentence'.

Words like 'verb' and 'adjective' are part of our meta-language about English.

4. A second language used to explain or translate another language in a classroom.

The teacher used English as a meta-language to explain the French lesson.