diglossia Definition
a situation in which two languages or dialects are used by a single language community, often with one being the high or formal variety and the other being the low or informal variety.
Using diglossia: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "diglossia" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
In some countries, diglossia is the norm, with one language being used for formal situations and another for everyday communication.
Example
The diglossia between Standard Arabic and the various dialects of Arabic can be a challenge for language learners.
Example
Diglossia can lead to social and linguistic inequality, as those who speak the high variety may have more opportunities and prestige than those who speak the low variety.
diglossia Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for diglossia
- bilingualism
- multilingualism
- code-switching
Phrases with diglossia
Example
In Switzerland, High German is the high variety, while Swiss German is the low variety.
Example
In Switzerland, Swiss German is the low variety, while High German is the high variety.
code-switching
the practice of alternating between two or more languages or dialects in a single conversation or interaction
Example
Code-switching is common among bilingual speakers who are comfortable in both languages.
Summary: diglossia in Brief
Diglossia [dɪˈɡlɒsiə] refers to a language community's use of two languages or dialects, with one being the high or formal variety and the other being the low or informal variety. This phenomenon is common in some countries and can lead to social and linguistic inequality. The high variety is the formal or prestigious language or dialect, while the low variety is the informal or non-prestigious one. Code-switching, or alternating between two or more languages or dialects, is related to diglossia.
