Diglossia: Understanding Language Varieties in Society

Overview

Diglossia refers to a sociolinguistic phenomenon where two distinct varieties of a language, often a high variety (H) and a low variety (L), coexist within a speech community. Each variety is used in different circumstances, with the H variety typically reserved for formal settings and the L variety for informal ones.

Key Concepts

High (H) and Low (L) Varieties

The high variety is usually associated with education, literature, religious services, and official pronouncements. The low variety is the vernacular, used in everyday conversation, home life, and casual interactions.

Domains of Use

Specific domains are strongly associated with either the H or L variety. For example, a sermon might be in H, while a joke told among friends would be in L. This division is learned from childhood.

Deep Dive

Acquisition and Prestige

Children acquire the L variety naturally at home. The H variety is typically learned through formal schooling. The H variety generally carries higher prestige and is seen as more powerful or desirable.

Linguistic Features

The H and L varieties can differ significantly in grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation. Sometimes, they are distinct dialects or even closely related languages, but the key is their social partitioning.

Applications

Societal Impact

Diglossia shapes social stratification, education systems, and national identity. It can influence language planning policies and the promotion of literacy.

Examples

• Classical Arabic vs. spoken dialects in the Arab world.
• High German vs. Swiss German in Switzerland.
• Creole languages alongside standard European languages in some former colonies.

Challenges & Misconceptions

Code-Switching vs. Diglossia

Diglossia is often confused with code-switching, where speakers alternate between languages or dialects within a single conversation. In diglossia, the choice of variety is determined by the social context, not just speaker preference.

Language Purity

The concept challenges notions of a single ‘pure’ language, highlighting how language use is dynamic and context-dependent.

FAQs

Is diglossia the same as bilingualism?

No. Bilingualism involves speaking two distinct languages. Diglossia involves using two varieties of the same language (or closely related ones) in different social situations.

Can diglossia disappear?

Yes, through language standardization, education reforms, or social changes that blur the domains of the H and L varieties.