1.
common language; lingua franca
A language used as a shared means of communication between people who speak different native languages or dialects.
英語は国際的な共通語だ。
English is an international common language.
ビジネスの共通語として英語が使われている。
English is used as the common language of business.
2.
standard Japanese
The standard form of Japanese based on Tokyo dialect, used across Japan in contrast to regional dialects. Preferred over the older term 標準語 in modern linguistics.
方言ではなく共通語で話してください。
Please speak in standard Japanese, not dialect.
テレビの普及により共通語が全国に広まった。
Standard Japanese spread nationwide through the spread of television.
若い世代は共通語しか話せない人も多い。
Many people in the younger generation can only speak standard Japanese.
共通語と方言を使い分ける人は少なくない。
It is not uncommon for people to switch between standard Japanese and dialect.
USAGE:
In Japanese linguistics, 共通語 is preferred over 標準語 because the latter implies a prescribed standard, while 共通語 describes the naturally shared common form of the language.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 共通語で話す (to speak in the common language)
- 共通語と方言 (standard language and dialect)
- 国際共通語 (international lingua franca)