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Glite Dictionary
Mordva language

Mordva language

9.9
A language the Mordvinian people speak in Russia in two main forms Erzya and Moksha
  • noun
: lengua mordvina
  • The Mordva language is divided into two major dialects: Erzya and Moksha.

Examples

  • Linguists have documented the complex grammar of the Mordva language in recent years.

  • He is studying the Mordva language to communicate with speakers in the Volga region.

  • The Mordva language has two main dialects.

  • Many people in Russia speak the Mordva languages.

  • He is studying the Mordva language to communicate with speakers in the Volga region.

  • Linguists have documented the complex grammar of the Mordva language in recent years.

  • The Mordva language is divided into two major dialects: Erzya and Moksha.

Synonyms

Mordvinian language
vsMordva language
9.9

A language spoken in Russia by the Erzya and Moksha peoples

uses the broader Uralic classification for the same languages
Mordvin language
vsMordva language
9.9

A language that Mordvin people speak in Russia

uses Uralic as the classification for these speech varieties
Mordvinian
vsMordva language
9.9

A language of the Mordvin people, including the Erzya and Moksha forms

classifies them within Uralic languages rather than the Finnic label
Mordvin
vsMordva language
9.9

A language spoken in parts of Russia by the Erzya and Moksha people

frames these as Uralic languages spoken by that ethnic group
Mordva
vsMordva language
9.9

A language spoken by the Mordvin people in central Russia

is broader, defining the Uralic language grouping including specific dialects

Surface Forms

Mordva language singular
Mordva languages plural

Morphology

Mordva + language

This is a straightforward proper-noun + noun composition: knowing 'Mordva' (the name of the people/ethnic group or language family) and 'language' allows a learner to infer it denotes the language(s) of the Mordva people. The construction is compositional and cross-linguistically common, so a B1 learner who knows the constituents would readily understand the meaning.

Etymology

Mordva language takes its name from Mordva, the old name neighbours used for the people who lived in the Volga area. So Mordva language came to mean the languages those people speak today, 'Erzya' and 'Moksha'.