👉 The term "metalinguistic" refers to a linguistic phenomenon where individuals are not directly speaking but rather using their mental or auditory language, such as through non-verbal cues, gestures, or other non-verbal means. This can be particularly prevalent in situations where the speaker is unable to speak or when they need to convey information without words. Metalinguistic phenomena can range from the simple act of nodding and smiling to complex expressions that require a mental response beyond what one would use directly