1 [C] the system of communication in speech and writing that is used by people of a particular country 语言: How many languages can you speak? 你会说几种语言？They fell in love in spite of the language barrier (= being unable to speak or understand each other's native language). 尽管语言存在障碍，他们还是爱上了对方。What is your first language (= your mother tongue)? 你的母语是什么？

2 [U] the system of sounds and writing that human beings use to express their thoughts, ideas and feelings （人类用以表达思想、观念和感情的）语言体系: written/spoken language 书面语；口语

3 [U] words of a particular type or words that are used by a particular person or group 某人或某群人的用语；术语: bad (= rude) language 脏话legal language 法律用语the language of Shakespeare 莎士比亚的文辞

4 [U] any system of signs, symbols, movements, etc that is used to express sth 一组表意手势、符号、姿势等: sign language (= using your hands, not speaking) 手语 ☞Look at body language. 参看body language。

5 [C,U] (computing计算机技术) a system of symbols and rules that is used to operate a computer 计算机语言