Diglossia is a linguistic phenomenon in which two distinct varieties of the same language (or, in some cases, two closely related languages) are used by a speech community in different social contexts. Typically, one variety is considered a “high” (H) form, used in formal settings such as education, government, and literature, while the other is a “low” (L) form, used in everyday conversation and informal interactions.
Key Features of Diglossia:
- Functional Separation: The H and L varieties serve different purposes and are not interchangeable in their respective domains.
- Prestige Difference: The H variety is often seen as more prestigious and is used in official and formal settings.
- Limited Mutability: The H variety tends to be more standardized and resistant to change, whereas the L variety evolves more freely with everyday usage.
- Acquisition: Speakers typically acquire the L variety as their first language and learn the H variety through formal education.
Examples of Diglossia:
- Arabic: Classical Arabic (H) vs. Colloquial Arabic dialects (L).
- Swiss German: Standard German (H) vs. Swiss German dialects (L).
- Haitian Creole: French (H) vs. Haitian Creole (L).
Relationship to Multilingualism:
Diglossia differs from multilingualism in that it involves two varieties of the same language rather than entirely separate languages. However, the concepts can overlap:
- Diglossic Multilingualism: A community might experience both diglossia and multilingualism, where individuals navigate multiple languages alongside H and L varieties.
- Code-Switching: While diglossia maintains clear functional boundaries, multilingual individuals might switch languages fluidly in daily life.