Crossword Genius

French footballer, mostly with no difficulty, picked up foreign language (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

cantonese

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'language' is the definition.
(Cantonese is an example)

I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for cantonese that I've seen before include "tongue" , "such food?" , "Oriental" , "Chinese language" , "Asian language?" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app