What Is the Meaning of Colloquial Language?

Colloquial langage is often used between people who are more familiar with each other.

Colloquial language refers to the choice of vocabulary and grammar that people use to speak to each other on an informal basis, usually between people who are more familial or in situations that do not require elevated language. It is differentiated from language used in more formal settings such as at the workplace. Colloquialisms are particular identifiable expressions that are used in informal speech. Many linguists further differentiate between colloquialisms and slang.

History

There has been a diversion between formal and informal speech for nearly as long as language has existed, particularly after the advent of written language, which was initially used in correspondence, business and legal proceedings. Aristocrats also adopted more "high-brow" language also as a way of differentiating themselves from commoners, who were more likely to use colloquialisms in their interactions.

Development

English, like most other languages, developed various levels between colloquial and formal language. These levels developed in numerous ways. For example, for nearly 300 years after the Norman invasion of Great Britain, for example, French remained the official language for court proceedings, considered one of the highest levels of formal language. As a result, English retains a number of French-derived terms such as "property," "estate," "lease," and "executor." Meanwhile, formal English continued to be used in other interactions, such as between merchants, and this could be differentiated from language used in the home.

Purposes

Colloquialisms serve the dual purposes of efficiency and showing familiarity between the speaker and the listener. For example, modern speakers of English often use contractions, such as "how'd" in "How'd you do it?" as a faster way of articulating a point than using complete words---"How did you do it?" As a way of expressing closeness and familiarity, friends may say "What's up?" rather than "How are you?" or the more formal "How do you do?" Colloquialisms can also be found in changes in vocabulary, such as the use of "fave" for "favorite."

Foreign Language Examples

Some languages have specific levels between formal and colloquial that have separate rules of grammar and the use of vocabulary. For example, Javanese---the language spoken on the island of Java in Indonesia---has three distinct levels called Krama, Madya, and Ngoko. Krama is an extremely formal form used in official proceedings and by persons of lower status to those of higher status, such as employees to their boss. Madya is considered neither formal nor colloquial and might be used by strangers on a street. Ngoko is considered informal and includes colloquial language.

Slang and Dialects

Many linguists differentiate colloquial language from slang and other dialects of a language. Slang is a particular choice of vocabulary and grammar used by a subgroup, such as a certain age group, within a society, unlike colloquial language, which is still considered standard speech and is used by most people within a language group. Still, some colloquialisms may be related to slang. Dialects are separate forms of a related language that is spoken by a group, such as those living a particular region.

References

• Univesity of Oklahoma Department of English: Rhetorical Devices
• Northern Illinois Library Southeast Asia Digital Library: About Javanese
• Carson-Newman College, Dr. Wheeler's Website: Literary Terms and Definitions