diglossia

noun

di·​glos·​sia dī-ˈglä-sē-ə How to pronounce diglossia (audio)
-ˈglȯ-
: the use of two varieties of the same language in different social contexts throughout a speech community
A key defining characteristic of diglossia is that the two varieties are kept quite apart functionally. One is used in one set of circumstances and the other in an entirely different set.Ronald Wardhaugh
diglossic
dī-ˈglä-sik How to pronounce diglossia (audio)
-ˈglȯ-
adjective

Word History

Etymology

di- + Greek glôssa "tongue, language" + -ia entry 1

First Known Use

1959, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of diglossia was in 1959

Dictionary Entries Near diglossia

Cite this Entry

“Diglossia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diglossia. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

diglossia

noun
di·​glos·​sia dī-ˈgläs-ē-ə How to pronounce diglossia (audio)
: the condition of having the tongue bifid

More from Merriam-Webster on diglossia

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!