A linguistic system and method of representing a data flow diagram is provided. Given the capabilities of a conventional data flow graph, and given the types of nodes that can exist in the graph, the subject innovation employs a specific method to create a language capable of describing the data flow graph. The resulting language can be used in application program interfaces (APIs), user interfaces (UIs) and the like to allow users to quickly enter definitions of data flow graphs as they are using various software systems, such as spreadsheet applications, word processing applications, presentation applications, business systems, etc. The language can identify complex data flows that include multiple sources, chained transformation components and/or multiple destinations.