Diglossia

Definition

Diglossia refers to a linguistic situation where two distinct varieties of a language coexist within a community, each serving different functions and social contexts. Typically, one variety is considered the 'high' form, used in formal settings such as literature, education, and government, while the other is the 'low' form, used in everyday conversation and informal contexts. This dynamic can influence language development, identity, and cultural expression within a society.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. In diglossic communities, the high variety is often associated with prestige and education, while the low variety reflects the local culture and everyday life.
2. Diglossia can create social stratification, as speakers may be judged based on their proficiency in the high variety of the language.
3. Language shift can occur in diglossic situations when speakers increasingly adopt the low variety for formal contexts over time.
4. In many cases, diglossia is stable and maintained for generations, but shifts can happen due to globalization and cultural changes.
5. Famous examples of diglossia include Arabic dialects, where Modern Standard Arabic serves as the high form and various regional dialects serve as low forms.

Review Questions

• How does diglossia impact social identity within a linguistic community?
  • Diglossia impacts social identity by creating a hierarchy between the high and low varieties of language. Individuals who are proficient in the high variety may gain social prestige and acceptance, while those who primarily use the low variety may feel marginalized. This dynamic influences how people perceive themselves and each other within their community, shaping their cultural identity and social interactions.
• Discuss how diglossia can affect language development and education in a bilingual society.
  • In a bilingual society with diglossia, education often emphasizes proficiency in the high variety for academic success and formal communication. This focus can lead to challenges for speakers of the low variety, who may struggle with literacy and academic language skills. Consequently, this situation can perpetuate inequality in educational outcomes and limit opportunities for those who predominantly use the low variety at home and in their community.
• Evaluate the implications of globalization on diglossic languages and potential shifts towards a more uniform linguistic landscape.
  • Globalization poses significant challenges to diglossic languages by promoting dominant languages or varieties that can overshadow local forms. As communities engage with global media and commerce, there may be a tendency to favor the high variety or even entirely different languages that are perceived as more modern or advantageous. This shift could lead to a decline in the use of low varieties, resulting in loss of cultural identity and linguistic diversity as traditional forms of communication become less valued.

Related terms

Bilingualism: The ability to speak and understand two languages fluently, which can occur in individuals or communities.

Code-switching: The practice of alternating between two or more languages or dialects in conversation, often reflecting social context or identity.

Pidgin: A simplified form of speech that develops as a means of communication between speakers of different native languages, often combining elements from both.