modern language

American  

noun

1. one of the literary languages currently in use in Europe, as French, Spanish, or German, treated as a departmental course of study in a school, college, or university.

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modern language British  

noun

1. any of the languages spoken in present-day Europe, with the exception of English

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Etymology

Origin of modern language

First recorded in 1830–40

Example Sentences

The university added all but four of its modern language courses had fewer than 10 students on them and they were currently "unsustainable".

From BBC • Nov. 25, 2025

The earliest evidence is in a language called Sumerian, which doesn’t have any modern language relatives.

From Scientific American • May 18, 2023

Though set in the Jerusalem of 2,000 years ago, the play uses modern language — "Jesus is cool" — and imagery, such as paparazzi following Jesus through the streets.

From Salon • Apr. 16, 2022

“A lot of times our characters speak with a little bit more modern language than you would expect. I know that’s a lot for a photograph but to me it hit all of those things.”

From New York Times • Jan. 4, 2022

Others have suggested instead that a change in brain organization around that time, without a change in brain size, made modern language possible.

From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond