parent language

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Linguists believe that these similar languages derived from an ancient parent language often described as “proto-Bantu.”

From Textbooks • Apr. 19, 2023

This single parent language – known as Proto Indo-European – spawned all these later languages and their shared word for paters.

From Salon • Jun. 18, 2022

And she has been invited to present her ideas for a parent language initiative to the White House’s Office of Science and Technology Policy in early October.

From Slate • Sep. 27, 2013

The way linguists compare words from descendant languages to reconstruct the parent language is called, appropriately, the comparative method.

From Scientific American • Feb. 12, 2013

I suppose it will be admitted that the language which supplies the meaning of a word has the fairest claim to be considered its parent language.

From Notes and Queries, No. 209, October 29 1853 A Medium of Inter-communication for Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Geneologists, etc. by Various