language barrier
noun
difficulty in communicating due to the lack of a shared language.
language barriers
-
pluralof language barrier.plural
The grammatical form denoting more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In immigrant households, it is a necessity born of language barriers; children help translate bills and handle household finances from an early age, in some cases graduating to sophisticated investment advice.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 11, 2026
At the same time, many older immigrants face challenges such as language barriers and cultural differences, which can contribute to ongoing stress.
From Science Daily ● Apr. 27, 2026
Despite Southern California having the world’s largest Thai population outside Thailand, Thai Angelenos face stigma, language barriers and limited resources when accessing mental healthcare.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 21, 2025
Measles tends to take hold in undervaccinated communities, and therefore public health workers must overcome mistrust, misinformation, language barriers, and more.
From Salon ● Aug. 26, 2025
Pantomime was often required to get over language barriers.
From "Seedfolks" by Paul Fleischman
