Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Relating to or involving different languages: The term describes phenomena, comparisons, studies, or evidence that span across or consider multiple languages.

Usage

• The adjective "cross-linguistic" is used to modify nouns to indicate that the subject matter involves a comparison or relationship between two or more languages.
• It is primarily used in academic, linguistic, and research contexts.

Examples

• Adjective:
  • The researcher presented cross-linguistic evidence to support the theory of universal grammar.
  • A cross-linguistic study often reveals how different languages express the same concept.
  • We need to consider cross-linguistic influences when analyzing second language acquisition.

Advanced Usage

• "cross-linguistic influence": A term in second language acquisition referring to the effect of one's native language on the learning or use of another language.
  • The student's errors showed clear cross-linguistic influence from her first language.
• "cross-linguistic perspective": An approach to analysis that considers data from multiple languages.
  • From a cross-linguistic perspective, the sound system of this language is quite unique.

Variants and Related Words

• Cross-linguistically (adverb): In a way that involves different languages.
  • The pattern is observed cross-linguistically, not just in European languages.

Synonyms

• Interlinguistic: Relating to or between languages. (Note: Less common than "cross-linguistic").
• Comparative linguistic: Pertaining to the comparison of languages. (This often implies a specific methodological approach).

Notes on Meaning

• "Cross-linguistic" specifically emphasizes the act of looking language boundaries for patterns, differences, or evidence. It is not typically used to describe something within a single language.
• It is a compound adjective formed from "cross-" (meaning across) and "linguistic" (relating to language).

Adjective

1. relating to different languages
   • cross-linguistic evidence