Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

protolanguage

Noun

/ˈproʊtəˌlæŋɡwɪdʒ/

Definition

A hypothetical, reconstructed early form of language from which later languages are derived.

Examples

Some linguists believe that all human languages might have descended from a single protolanguage.
The study of protolanguages helps linguists understand the evolution of language.
Protolanguage theories can shed light on the cognitive abilities of early humans.

Meaning

Protolanguage refers to a primitive or ancestral form of language that serves as a foundation for the development of more complex languages over time.