Grammar fix
language barrier
communication difficulty
A problem that makes it hard for people to understand each other because they speak different languages.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
When I first moved to Germany, the language barrier made it difficult to make friends.
One major challenge for international students is the language barrier, which can affect both their studies and social life.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: There was a big language obstacle.
Say: There was a language barrier.
The set phrase is 'language barrier', not 'language obstacle/problem'.
Which sounds natural?
Tap the one a native speaker would say.
'Language barrier' is the term; 'impediment owing to linguistic differences' is jargon.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
a language barrier
- overcome
- break down
- due to
- because of