minority language
Refers to a language spoken by a minority group within a larger community, often in contexts of language preservation or policy.
少数言語の保護は重要な課題だ。
Protecting minority languages is an important issue.
公用語 is an official language, while 少数言語 is a minority language, often without official status.
地域語 is a regional language, which may or may not be a minority language; 少数言語 emphasizes minority status.
Compound of 少数 (minority) and 言語 (language).