Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

diglossic

Adjective

/daɪˈɡlɒs.ɪk/

Definition

Relating to diglossia, where two languages or dialects are used by a single language community in different contexts.

Examples

In countries with a diglossic situation, such as Switzerland, people often switch between languages depending on the social context.
Egypt is typically cited as an example of a diglossic society, where Modern Standard Arabic is used in written forms, while Egyptian Arabic is the spoken form.

Meaning

Diglossic refers to a situation in which a high (formal) and a low (informal) variant of a language are used by a single community. It often involves a standard language used in formal situations and a colloquial or regional variety spoken in everyday life.