Lingua franca

A bridge language or lingua franca is a language or dialect that is

systematically used to make communication possible between groups
of people who do not share a native language or dialect, particularly
when it is a third language that is distinct from both of the speakers'
native languages.[2]
Lingua francas have developed around the world throughout human
history, sometimes for commercial reasons, but also for cultural,
religious, diplomatic and administrative convenience, and as a means of
exchanging information between scientists and other scholars of
different nationalities. However, lingua francas started spreading
mainly due to military conquests, international trade and missionaries
promoting their religious beliefs in foreign countries or terriories. [3][4] 

Characteristics
Lingua francas are often pre-existing languages with native speakers,
but they can also be pidgin or creole languages developed for specific
regions or contexts.
Pre-existing lingua francas such as French are used to facilitate
intercommunication in large-scale trade or political matters, while
pidgins and creoles often arise out of colonial situations and a specific
need for communication between colonists and indigenous people. [9] 
Pidgin languages are rapidly developed and simplified combinations of
two or more established languages, while creoles are generally viewed
as pidgins that have evolved into fully complex languages in the course
of adaptation by subsequent generations.[8] 
Pre-existing lingua francas are generally widespread, highly developed
languages with many native speakers.
Conversely, pidgin languages are very simplified means of
communication, containing loose structuring, few grammatical rules,
and possessing few or no native speakers.
Creole languages are more developed than their ancestral pidgins,
utilizing more complex structure, grammar, and vocabulary, as well as
having substantial communities of native speakers. [10]
Whereas a vernacular language is the native language of a specific
geographical community, a lingua franca is used beyond the
boundaries of its original community, for trade, religious, political, or
academic reasons. But some vernacular languages can become lingua
francas. For example, English is a vernacular language in the United
Kingdom but is used as a lingua franca in Europe. 
Some major examples of lingua francas are … [edit]
 Latin and Koine Greek
 English
 French
 Russian
 Hindustani
 … and Swahili and Hausa

What is koine Greek? It is a dialect of ancient Greek that started spreading in the
Mediterranean area after the conquests of Alexander the Great in the fourth
century BC.
What is Hindustani? It is basically Hindi-Urdu. Hindustani is actually and umbrella
term that indicates a number of different dialects of Hindi-Urdu that are spoken in
Pakistan and Northern India.