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Glite Dictionary
Formosan language

Formosan language

9.9
A language spoken by the native people of Taiwan
  • noun
  • Specialized
: lengua formosana
  • The extinction of many Formosan languages threatens the cultural heritage of Taiwan’s indigenous peoples.

Examples

  • She is conducting research on a rare Formosan language spoken in the mountains.

  • Efforts are being made to preserve and revitalize several Formosan languages among younger generations.

  • The Formosan language family includes several distinct dialects.

  • Many young people are learning the Formosan languages to preserve their culture.

  • Efforts are being made to preserve and revitalize several Formosan languages among younger generations.

  • The extinction of many Formosan languages threatens the cultural heritage of Taiwan’s indigenous peoples.

  • Many young people are learning the Formosan languages to preserve their culture.

Synonyms

Austronesian language
vsFormosan language
  • Specialized
1 8.1

A language spoken on islands in Southeast Asia, the Pacific, and Madagascar

focuses only on languages of Taiwan's indigenous peoples not the wider family
Austronesian
vsFormosan language
  • Specialized
1 9.1

A language spoken in Southeast Asia, Madagascar, and the Pacific

is limited to languages used by Taiwan's indigenous peoples rather than the wider family
Formosan
vsFormosan language
  • Specialized
9.9

A group of languages spoken by Taiwan's native people

refers to any single Austronesian language used by Taiwan's indigenous peoples

Surface Forms

Formosan language singular
Formosan languages plural

Morphology

Formosan + language

The meaning is fully compositional: 'Formosan' refers to Formosa/Taiwan (or things related to the indigenous peoples there) and 'language' denotes a spoken/written system, so together they literally mean a language of Formosa/Taiwan. This adjective + 'language' naming pattern is common cross-linguistically, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents can derive the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

Formosan language comes from the old name for Taiwan, Formosa, a word early Portuguese sailors used that means 'beautiful'. So Formosan language simply means a language spoken by the island's indigenous people.