Lingua Franca
Lingua Franca
Lingua Franca (pronunciation: /ˌlɪŋɡwə ˈfræŋkə/) is a term derived from the Italian phrase meaning "Frankish language". This term was first used during the Middle Ages to describe a mixed language consisting of Italian, Greek, Arabic, and Spanish, which was used by traders in the Mediterranean area.
Etymology
The term "Lingua Franca" originates from the Italian language, where "lingua" means language and "franca" means Frankish. The term was used to refer to the language spoken by the Franks, a Germanic tribe that ruled parts of Europe during the Middle Ages. Over time, the term has come to refer to any language that is used as a common means of communication between speakers of different native languages.
Related Terms
- Pidgin: A simplified form of speech formed from two or more languages.
- Creole: A stable natural language developed from a mixture of different languages.
- Trade language: A language used between persons who do not share a native language.
- Bridge language: A language used as a common means of communication between speakers of different languages.
- Auxiliary language: A language used for communication between groups who do not share a common language.
Usage
In modern usage, a Lingua Franca is any language widely used beyond the population of its native speakers. The most common examples being English, French, Spanish, and Arabic. These languages are used in international business, academia, diplomacy, and many other fields.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Lingua Franca
- Wikipedia's article - Lingua Franca
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မြန်မာဘာသာ,
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