Etymology Map
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Language

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a system of communication used by a people

Where does the word "language" come from? It comes from Latin lingua, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
lingua
Latin · ancient
"tongue"
an old word for the tongue as body part and speech
2
Stage 2 of 3
langage
Old French · medieval
"speech"
'langue' plus the suffix -age
3
Stage 3 of 3
language
English · 1300s
"speech of a people"
the 'u' came from influence of Latin 'lingua'
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Read the full story

Language’s story begins in Latin: lingua meant “tongue.” An old word for the tongue as body part and speech. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as langage. 'langue' plus the suffix -age. It reached English by 1300s as language. The 'u' came from influence of Latin 'lingua'. Today, language means a system of communication used by a people.