lang

IPA/ˌɔːld læŋ ˈsaɪn/
KK[lˈæŋ]IPA/ˌɔːld læŋ ˈsaɪn/

lang — noun

1. a shortened written form of the word 'language', used mainly in forms, course co

1.nounB1
Definition

a shortened written form of the word 'language', used mainly in forms, course codes, file extensions, notes, and technical documentation to save space or fit a label format.

Example

Nikhil checked the 'Lang.' box on the survey and chose 'Mandarin' as his native language.

Dewi saved the script with a .lang extension so the compiler would recognize the language.

'.lang' file extension for programming source code

Common collocations
  • Lang. field
  • Lang. box
  • Lang. setting
  • Prog. Lang.
  • Lang. option
  • .lang extension
Synonyms
  • language

    the full written form — use in formal contexts instead of the abbreviation

  • tongue

    a more literary synonym for 'language'; not interchangeable in technical or administrative contexts

Grammar Patterns

lang. as a heading or label

.lang as a file extension

Lang. in drop-down menus

Usage Note

Occurs almost exclusively in written form — on paper or on screen. When reading aloud, native speakers normally say the full word 'language' rather than pronouncing 'lang.' as a separate word. Common in computing contexts (Prog. Lang., .lang files), administrative forms (Lang. field), and professional titles (Speech-Lang. Pathologist).

Common Mistakes

I study lang. at university.
I study languages at university.
'lang.' is a written abbreviation; in speech or full-sentence writing, use the complete word 'language' or 'languages'.
The lang. barrier made communication difficult.
The language barrier made communication difficult.
In formal academic writing, fully spell out 'language' rather than using the abbreviation.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

The abbreviation 'lang.' points to the full noun 'language', which is the broadest and most neutral term for a system of human communication. 'Tongue' is a more poetic or literary synonym — you might read 'her native tongue' in a novel but would not see 'Prog. Tongue.' in a technical document. 'Speech' overlaps with spoken language only, while 'language' includes writing and signing. In technical, administrative, and computing contexts, 'lang.' is the standard abbreviation, and the full word 'language' is preferred in formal prose.

language ↗tongue ↗speech ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • language
  • programming language
  • native language

Phrases

  • Lang. field
  • Prog. Lang.
  • Lang. option

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchEnglish

The abbreviation 'lang.' is a clipped form of 'language', which entered English from Old French 'langage' (modern French 'langage'). Old French inherited it from Vulgar Latin 'linguaticum', ultimately from Latin 'lingua', meaning 'tongue' or 'speech'. The shortened written form 'lang.' has been used in English notes, lists, and forms since at least the 1800s, and became widespread in computing during the mid-20th century.