metalanguage

[ met-uh-lang-gwij ]

noun

1. any language or symbolic system used to discuss, describe, or analyze another language or symbolic system.

metalanguage

/ ˈmɛtəˌlæŋɡwɪdʒ /

noun

1. a language or system of symbols used to discuss another language or system See also formal language natural language Compare object language

Word History and Origins

Origin of metalanguage¹

First recorded in 1935–40; meta- + language

Example Sentences

All of these, especially Perry’s “circuit” plays have provoked contentious debates among black people about access, representation, caricature, which are all big parts of the metalanguage of Mr. Jackson’s play.

From New York Times

Since the way we converse with each other electronically is very much in flux, the metalanguage we use to talk about such talk is changing too.

From Wall Street Journal

Then, about the fact that the wise man just gives an "example", and that the example becomes a commandment: that opens a debate on the notion of exemplarity and metalanguage in literature.

From The Guardian