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Glite Dictionary
Sinitic language

Sinitic language

9.5
A language from the Chinese group, like Mandarin or Cantonese
  • noun
  • /ˈsɪnɪtɪk ˈlæŋɡwɪdʒ/
  • Specialized
translation icon : idioma sinitico
  • The Sinitic language family includes Mandarin and Cantonese, which are widely spoken in China.

Examples

  • Any of the regional and local varieties of one of the Sinitic languages, such as one of the dialects of Mandarin.

    Blog text (5)

  • Any of the Sinitic languages, such as Mandarin or Cantonese.

    Blog text (5)

  • I maintain that "dialect" is a serious mistranslation of f? ngyn??, one that has wreaked endless havoc in linguistic analysis of Sinitic languages.

    Blog text (5)

  • No matter how it turns out, I'm grateful to AHD4 for making topolect a matter of record and AHD5 for defining it correctly and integrating it in their treatment of Sinitic languages as a whole.

    Blog text (5)

  • Many people in China are fluent in various Sinitic languages, particularly Mandarin and its dialects.

  • Linguists study Sinitic languages to understand the diverse dialects that exist within this branch of the Sino-Tibetan family.

Synonyms

Chinese
vsSinitic language
3.2

A language spoken in China, such as Mandarin

is the technical linguistic branch classification rather than a social dialect label

Surface Forms

Sinitic language singular
Sinitic languages plural

Morphology

Sinitic + language

The meaning is compositionally derived: 'Sinitic' (pertaining to Chinese/Sinitic) modifies 'language', so the phrase denotes a language of the Sinitic/Chinese group. Although 'Sinitic' is somewhat technical, the structure is transparent and a learner who knows both words can infer the intended meaning.

Etymology

The phrase Sinitic language comes from an old name for China, using the part Sin- from the word 'Sinae'. So Sinitic language means 'a language of China', like Mandarin or Cantonese.