Diglossia
A linguistic situation in which two distinct language varieties
of the same language are used in the same linguistic community. One variety
will be regarded as a higher variety and the other will be known as a lower
variety.
Examples
- Arabic
- Swiss-German
- Haitian
> In Arabic, classical Arabic is considered as a higher
variety while many local colloquial forms of Arabic are considered as lower
quality
> In Switzerland, standard German is considered as a higher
variety while Swiss-German is considered as lower variety.
> In Haitian standard French is considered as a higher variety while Haitian Creole is of lower quality.
Higher Variety
It is the prestigious form of language which is used in a formal
setting like:
- Formal
lectures
- Sermons
- Political
speeches
- News
on television
- Poetry
and literature
Lower Variety
It is the form with having no or less prestige attached to it.
It is also called Vernacular language.
It is used
- To
give instructions to workers
- To
someone you are familiar with
- In
the informal settings
- Domestic
use
- With
household servants
> Higher variety is taught in schools and other educational institutions while lower variety is learned.
