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Glite Dictionary
Annamite language

Annamite language

9.9
An older name for Vietnamese, spoken mainly in Vietnam
  • noun
  • Archaic
: idioma anames
  • The term Annamite language has become less common, with 'Vietnamese' now preferred.

Examples

  • French colonial records often referred to Vietnamese as the Annamite language.

  • Linguists classify the Annamite language within the Mon-Khmer family.

  • The Annamite language has a rich history.

  • Many people in Vietnam speak the Annamite language.

  • French colonial records often referred to Vietnamese as the Annamite language.

  • Linguists classify the Annamite language within the Mon-Khmer family.

  • The term Annamite language has become less common, with 'Vietnamese' now preferred.

Synonyms

Vietnamese
vsAnnamite language
12 4.2

A language spoken mainly in Vietnam and by its people living abroad

is an older name used in the past instead of the present-day term
Vietnamese language
vsAnnamite language
1 3.5

The official way people in Vietnam speak using six tones

is an earlier label used historically rather than the current official name
Annamite
vsAnnamite language
  • Archaic
1 9.9

An old name for the Vietnamese language or local languages once spoken in parts of Vietnam

is the earlier term for the widespread modern language still spoken mainly in Vietnam
Annamese
vsAnnamite language
  • Archaic
9.9

An old name for the language of Vietnam

is the earlier label for the same language rather than the modern name
Annamese language
vsAnnamite language
  • Archaic
9.9

An old name for the Vietnamese language

is the earlier label for the same language rather than the current term

Surface Forms

Annamite language singular
Annamite languages plural

Morphology

Annamite + language

This phrase is a straightforward noun phrase combining the name/adjective 'Annamite' (referring to the language or people of Annam/Vietnam) with 'language', so its meaning 'the language called Annamite / the Vietnamese language' follows directly from the constituents. Although 'Annamite' is archaic/rare, the compositional pattern is regular and cross-linguistically common, so a B1 learner who knows both words would be able to infer the meaning.

Etymology

Annamite language comes from Annam, an old name used by people from China and France for a part of Vietnam, so it originally meant the language of 'Annam'. Today that name is old-fashioned and we usually say 'Vietnamese' instead.