Crossword Genius

Means of communicating with the next world? (4,8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

dead language

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

'the next world?' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.

'means of communicating' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'means' could be 'language' (I have seen 'Means of communication ' mean 'language' so perhaps 'means' could also mean 'language') and 'language' is located in the answer.
The remaining letters 'dead' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

'with' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for dead language that I've seen before include "Latin, for example" , "Grave accent a help, maybe" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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