Definition

1. Noun:
   • The target language of a translation: In linguistics and translation studies, "object language" refers to the language into which a text or speech is being translated from a source language. It is the output language.
   • The output language of a compiler: In computer science, "object language" refers to the machine code or lower-level programming language into which source code written in a higher-level language is translated (compiled).

Usage Examples

• Noun (Linguistics/Translation):

  • In this translation exercise, English is the source language and French is the object language.
  • The translator must have a deep understanding of both the source and the object language.

• Noun (Computer Science):

  • The C++ compiler translates the source code into an object language that the computer's processor can execute.
  • Assembly language is often the object language for many high-level language compilers.

Advanced Usage

• Metalanguage vs. Object Language: In logic and philosophy of language, an "object language" is the language being , while a "metalanguage" is the language used to the object language. For example, if you use English to describe the grammar of Latin, then Latin is the object language and English is the metalanguage.
  • The textbook uses English as a metalanguage to analyze the object language, Ancient Greek.

Variants and Related Words

• Target Language: A more common synonym in translation contexts.
• Source Language: The opposite term, referring to the original language of a text being translated.
• Object Code: In computing, the machine code output from a compiler, closely related to the concept of object language.

Synonyms

• Target language (primary synonym in translation).
• Output language.

Related Phrases

• Translate into an object language: The process of converting from a source language.
  • The software is designed to translate technical manuals into several object languages.

Noun

1. the language into which a text written in another language is to be translated
2. a computer language into which something written in another computer language is to be translated