source language

noun

1. the language in which a text appears that is to be translated into another language. Compare target language ( def 1 ).
2. a language, usually the learner's native language, that is a source of interference in learning another language. Compare target language ( def 2 ).

Word History and Origins

Origin of source language¹

First recorded in 1955–60

Example Sentences

Additional subsets may be defined by the user to best fit his source language.

From Project Gutenberg