A language degree's the best (5)

I believe the answer is:

masai

'a language' is the definition.
(Masai is an example)

'degree's the best' is the wordplay.
'degree's' becomes 'mas' (Master of Arts is a type of degree).
'the best' becomes 'ai'.
'mas'+'ai'='MASAI'

(Other definitions for masai that I've seen before include "East African people" , "E.African pastoral people" , "Well-known tribe of Eastern Africa" , "East African pastoralist" , "Tribe in 5" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.

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