SINCE 1828
diglossia
noun
di·glos·sia
| \ dī-ˈglä-sē-ə
, -ˈglȯ-\
, -ˈglȯ-\
Definition of diglossia
: 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
Other Words from diglossia
diglossic
\ dī-ˈglä-sik
, -ˈglȯ- \
adjective
, -ˈglȯ- \
adjective
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More Definitions for diglossia
diglossia
noun
di·glos·sia
| \ dī-ˈgläs-ē-ə
\
\
Medical Definition of diglossia
: the condition of having the tongue bifid
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