The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word SYLLABIC
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
S
Y
L
L
A
B
I
C
More clues leading to the result SYLLABIC
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "referring to language unit" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case referring to language unit = syllabic.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does SYLLABIC mean?
SYLLABIC noun- A syllabic sound.
- Of, relating to, or consisting of a syllable or syllables.
- Pronounced with every syllable distinct.
- Designating a sound that is or can be the most sonorant segment of a syllable, as a vowel or a resonant. In the word riddle ([ɹɪdl̩]), the two syllabic sounds are [ɪ] and [l̩].
- Of, or being a form of verse, based on the number of syllables in a line rather than on the arrangement of accents or quantities.