diglossia
noun
di·glos·sia
dī-ˈglä-sē-ə 
-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
Ronald WardhaughCite this Entry
“Diglossia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diglossia. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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diglossia
noun
di·glos·sia
dī-ˈgläs-ē-ə
: the condition of having the tongue bifid
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