language barrier

American  

[lang-gwij bar-ee-er] / ˈlæŋ gwɪdʒ ˌbær i ər /

noun

language barriers plural

1. difficulty in communicating due to the lack of a shared language.

   International adoption is not easy, especially when there is a language barrier.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• language barriers
  plural

Etymology

Origin of language barrier

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

We might have been able to move past the language barrier if Mr. Hernández and Ms. Aikens conveyed the powerful emotion of their words with the requisite ardency.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 12, 2026

Wright told jurors: "It's a matter for you to consider... whether this was a product of distress on his part, a language barrier, or an unintended indication of his attitude towards Miguel."

From BBC • Mar. 24, 2026

"Cultures are different, not to mention the language barrier," the mayor said, urging "mutual support and consideration".

From Barron's • Mar. 20, 2026

Each character seems to understand the others dimly, as through a language barrier; each vibrates at their own frequency.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 12, 2026

I wondered then if, without the language barrier, my classmates and I could have done a better job making sense of Christianity, an idea that sounds pretty far-fetched to begin with.

From "Me Talk Pretty One Day" by David Sedaris