"lingua franca"的定义和意义

What is a "lingua franca"?

A lingua franca is a language that serves as a common means of communication between speakers of different native languages. It is often used in trade, travel, or multicultural settings where people need to understand each other despite their different backgrounds. A lingua franca can be a widely spoken language, like English or French, or it can be a simplified version of a language, known as a pidgin. The primary purpose of a lingua franca is to facilitate communication and interaction, making it easier for diverse groups to share information and ideas.