Should I use 'the' before language names?

Question

In following sentences, should I use the:

Persian is sweet.
(the) Persian language is sweet.
(the) Contemporary Persian language is sweet.
(the) Contemporary Persian is sweet.

It's not the question you're asking, but "sweet" is an unusual adjective to apply to a language. — starsplusplus, Apr 11 '14 at 12:35
@starsplusplus I "sweet" is used exclusively to describe the Persian language. Google it! It is realy sweet! Say some thing in Persian to taste it. — Prince Of Persia, Apr 11 '14 at 14:49
I Googled sweet and Persian and didn't get anything. What do you suggest I Google? — starsplusplus, Apr 11 '14 at 15:44

score 2 · Answer 1 · answered Apr 11 '14 at 12:00

2

Before Persian language, yes, you should use it.

But if you use the name of the language on its own, you do not!

"The Persian is sweet" refers to a specific person of Persian extraction, not to the language (or actually, it could be a cat in this case!).

answered Apr 11 '14 at 12:00

oerkelens

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Thanks, what about two last ones? – Prince Of Persia Apr 11 '14 at 12:19
Same thing. Whether you use Persian language, Contemporary Persian language or contemporary often-used sweet-sounding fluent Persian language, you still omit the when you mention language, and you use the when you just use Persian :) – oerkelens Apr 11 '14 at 12:42

score -1 · Answer 2 · edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:55

Okay, to answer it precisely...

Persian is sweet - Okay, what's her name? (So, here the Persian will serve the same as American.
(the) Persian language is sweet - Of course, it's a sweet language.
(the) Contemporary Persian language is sweet - True, the latest words and literary work for the language makes the modern Persian language even sweeter.
(the) Contemporary Persian is sweet - oops! the contemporary person does not sound natural!

A further good read here.

Should I use 'the' before language names?

2 Answers2