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lingua franca

[ˈlɪŋɡwə ˈfræŋkə]
nounfemininepl: linguas francas
língua franca
1. A language used for communication between people who do not share a native language, especially in trade, diplomacy, or international contexts
English has become the lingua franca of international business.
O inglês tornou-se a língua franca dos negócios internacionais.
2. Any common language or system of communication adopted by diverse groups
Music is a lingua franca that transcends cultural boundaries.
A música é uma língua franca que transcende as fronteiras culturais.
Synonyms
common languageuniversal languagebridge languageauxiliary language
Antonyms
native languagemother tongue

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
língua franca
Standard term used in educational and academic contexts
Portugal
língua franca
Same usage as in Brazil, formal and academic contexts

Related Idioms & Phrases

speak a common lingua franca
establish a lingua franca
serve as a lingua franca
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