broken language
[ˈbroʊkən ˈlæŋɡwɪdʒ]
nounpl: broken languages
linguagem quebrada; português/inglês quebrado
1. Imperfect or halting speech in a language that is not one's native language, characterized by grammatical errors, awkward phrasing, or limited vocabulary
She spoke broken English with a strong French accent.
Ela falava inglês quebrado com sotaque francês forte.
2. Communication that is difficult to understand due to linguistic imperfections or lack of fluency
Despite his broken language, his message was clear.
Apesar de sua linguagem quebrada, sua mensagem era clara.
3. A pidgin or simplified form of communication between speakers of different languages
The traders used broken Portuguese to conduct business.
Os comerciantes usavam português quebrado para fazer negócios.
In both Brazilian and American contexts, 'broken language' is used descriptively (not pejoratively in most cases) to acknowledge language learners' efforts to communicate in non-native languages. In multicultural urban centers like São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and New York City, broken language is often a bridge for international commerce, immigration, and cultural exchange. The term reflects the reality of globalization where many people communicate across linguistic barriers.
NYC Slang
mangled English; butchered English
Related Idioms & Phrases
speak broken English/Portuguese
get by with broken language
communicate in broken language
pick up broken language
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