What does nonlinguistic mean?
Nonlinguistic is an adjective meaning not relating to language or language-based systems. It is commonly used in linguistics, semiotics, anthropology, psychology, and communication studies to describe features such as gesture, facial expression, tone, posture, and visual signals. Although nonlinguistic is sometimes treated as a synonym for nonverbal, the terms are not exact equivalents: nonlinguistic concerns whether something belongs to language, whereas nonverbal often means not spoken or not using words. Thus, a written sign system may be linguistic even though it is nonverbal. In ordinary writing, the term is scholarly and usually replaced by simpler language when precision is unnecessary. Knowing it helps distinguish language itself from the many expressive systems that accompany it, such as gesture, art, and intonation. The word is especially useful in discussions of how meaning is created through several channels at once.
adjectiveNot relating to language or linguistic systems; excluding language or language-based communication.
- Not relating to language or linguistic systems; instead belonging to other forms of communication or expression.
"The therapist paid close attention to the child's nonlinguistic communication, including gestures and facial expressions."
"The study separates nonlinguistic cues such as facial expression and gesture from spoken language."
"The choreographer described the sequence as a nonlinguistic conversation of pauses, levels, and gazes."
A sigh, a raised eyebrow, or a knowing glance can carry meaning without a word—precisely the territory covered by nonlinguistic.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does nonlinguistic come from?
The prefix non- continues Latin non, meaning “not,” and is widely used in English to negate other elements. The element linguistic belongs to a family derived from Latin lingua, meaning “language” or “tongue.” Nonlinguistic was formed in English by attaching the prefix non- to linguistic, expressing that something falls outside language or linguistic study.
Related word forms
How nonlinguistic is actually used
This is primarily a formal and scholarly term used in linguistics, semiotics, anthropology, psychology, communication studies, and speech-language pathology. It is not identical to nonverbal: a written sign system may be linguistic even though it does not use speech, whereas nonlinguistic means that something does not belong to language itself.
Easily confused with nonlinguistic
Nonlingual usually characterizes a person or system lacking linguistic ability, whereas nonlinguistic characterizes something that does not belong to language or linguistic study.