language barrier

[ lang-gwij bar-ee-er ]

noun

difficulty in communicating due to the lack of a shared language: International adoption is not easy, especially when there is a language barrier.

Origin of language barrier

First recorded in 1885–90

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Desperate and annoyed with the language barrier, Bartiromo begs as Elias translates.
He Bullies Kids and Calls It News | Brandy Zadrozny | June 26, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Or, you can adopt my own language-barrier ordering tactic: point at something on the menu and hope for the best.
My Two-Day Oktoberfest Bender | Kristyn Ostman | October 5, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
But to pull off a successful collaboration, Will.i.am and Yamaji had to overcome a challenging language barrier.
Will.i.am, Fashion Designer? | Corbin Chamberlin | December 12, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
Unfortunately, she seemed to face a bit of a language barrier.
Miss America, Miss Universe & More Nonsensical Interviews (VIDEOS) | Anna Klassen | June 3, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
Why not help break the language barrier by volunteering your time to translate at a local hospital?
Don't Be a Scrooge! | The Daily Beast | December 16, 2009 | THE DAILY BEAST

Breaking the language barrier, with implicit emancipation from literacy, is a practical experience in itself.
The Civilization of Illiteracy | Mihai Nadin

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