What does interlingual mean?
Interlingual describes something that exists between languages or helps people communicate across linguistic boundaries. The term is especially common in discussions of translation, interpretation, mediation, language teaching, and academic comparisons of different languages. An interlingual interpreter, for example, helps communicate between speakers who do not use the same language, while interlingual communication may refer more broadly to any process that links languages. The word is not limited to people who know only two languages: it can describe relationships among an entire group of languages. Unlike bilingual, which usually emphasizes the use of two languages, interlingual places emphasis on the connection between languages themselves. It is related to multilingual and linguistic, but it is more precise than either when cross-language interaction or comparison is central.
adjectiveExisting or occurring between two or more languages, especially through translation or communication that crosses linguistic boundaries. It can also refer to linguistic relations or features that exist among different languages.
- Existing or occurring between two or more languages, especially in translation, interpretation, or communication across language boundaries.
- Relating to the relationships, similarities, or differences among different languages.
"The museum offers interlingual interpretation so that visitors can understand the exhibition in their preferred language."
"The journal publishes interlingual studies comparing how different languages represent time."
"She works as an interlingual mediator, helping speakers communicate without sharing a common language."
Interlingual communication is the art of making language itself a bridge rather than a barrier.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does interlingual come from?
The English word was formed in the 19th century from the prefix inter-, meaning “between,” and linguistic or lingual, meaning “relating to language.” Its deeper roots are Latin: inter means “between” and lingua means “language” or “tongue.” The same roots appear in related words such as bilingual, multilingual, linguistic, and linguist.
Related word forms
How interlingual is actually used
Most common in academic, educational, cultural, and translation-related contexts. It is more general than bilingual and more specific than multilingual when the focus is on a relationship or process between languages.
Easily confused with interlingual
Bilingual describes a person or text that uses two languages, whereas interlingual more often describes communication, translation, or relationships occurring between languages.
Linguistic refers broadly to language or languages, while interlingual specifically emphasizes a connection or process occurring between different languages.