internettaal

Internettaal is a term that appears in some Dutch-language discussions within linguistics and cognitive science to refer to internal representations of language in the mind. It is not part of the formal, widely accepted terminology used in major linguistic reference works, and its exact meaning can vary between authors and contexts.

Origins and usage

The word seems to be a neologism formed from language-related roots in Dutch, combining elements related to internal or inner processes with the word for language. In practice, internettaal is often used to describe the mental planning, organization, or inner articulation stage that precedes spoken or written output, or more generally the internal structure and representation of phonology, morphology, and syntax that underlie inner language experience. Because there is no standardized definition, the term functions as a contextual label rather than a fixed technical term.

Relation to related concepts

Internettaal is typically discussed alongside concepts such as inner speech, subvocalization, and the broader idea of a mentalese or “language of thought.” In cognitive linguistics and psycholinguistics, discussions about an internal language address how linguistic knowledge is stored, processed, and manipulated when not expressed externally, including considerations of memory and planning mechanisms like the phonological loop.

Usage notes

There is no consensus on a single definition or scope for internettaal. When encountering the term, readers should check the author’s explicit definition and context. If you write about it, provide a precise definition and appropriate citations to avoid ambiguity.

See also

inner speech

mentalese

subvocalization

phonological loop

language processing