standard language
Prestige linguistic variety
A standard language is the variety of a language that has been codified, taught in schools, and used in formal writing and official contexts.
It represents an agreed-upon set of grammar, vocabulary, and spelling conventions: Standard English differs from regional dialects.
The standard typically reflects the speech of educated, influential groups and carries social prestige, though linguists note it is not inherently superior to nonstandard varieties.
Shared tongue between peoples
- translationConverting between languages
- interpretationAssigned meaning
- multilingualismMultiple language proficiency
- bilingualismProficiency in two languages
pidgin · creole · globalization · international communication · diplomacy
Everyday regional speech
- dialectRegional language variety
- sociolectLanguage variety by group
- accentRegional speech pattern
- stigmaMark of dishonor
prestige · status · proper speech · diglossia · code-switching · social mobility · class · eloquence
Language's structural rules
- orthographyStandard writing conventions
- syntaxRules for arranging words
- morphologyStudy of structural forms
- phonologyScience of language sounds
lexicon · prescriptivism · usage · diction · spelling · punctuation · norm · convention
Smooth linguistic command
- literacyAbility to read, write
- comprehensionMental understanding of meaning
- articulationClear vocal expression
- competenceAdequate ability to function
mastery · acquisition · assessment · certification · TOEFL · IELTS · native speaker · learner
lingua franca
Shared tongue between peoples
- translationConverting between languages
- interpretationAssigned meaning
- multilingualismMultiple language proficiency
bilingualism · pidgin · creole · globalization · international communication · diplomacy
vernacular
Everyday regional speech
stigma · prestige · status · proper speech · diglossia · code-switching · social mobility · class · eloquence · refinement
grammar
Language's structural rules
- orthographyStandard writing conventions
- syntaxRules for arranging words
- morphologyStudy of structural forms
phonology · lexicon · prescriptivism · usage · diction · spelling · punctuation · norm · convention · rulebook
fluency
Smooth linguistic command
- literacyAbility to read, write
- comprehensionMental understanding of meaning
- articulationClear vocal expression
competence · mastery · acquisition · assessment · certification · TOEFL · IELTS · native speaker · learner · instruction
- jargonjargon, lingo, legal jargon, slang, buzz words
- language normscorrectness, usage, proper grammar, prescriptivism, descriptivism
- Language Standardsprescriptivism, proper grammar, proper usage, correctness, codification
- language varietiesdialect, idiolect, sociolect, vernacular, accent
- sociolinguisticssociolinguistics, diglossia, bilingualism, dialects, code-switching
- registerscasual, formal, informal, consultative, colloquial
standard languagevernacular
Everyday regional speech
slang · dialect · colloquial speech · informal language · street language
standard languagevernacular
Everyday regional speech
regional dialect · local dialect · patois · dialect · creole
language, standard, understand, standards, substandard, standardized, standardization, nonstandard, standardizing