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

diglossic

dī-ˈglä-sik 

-ˈglȯ-

adjective

Word History

Etymology

di- + Greek glôssa "tongue, language" + -ia entry 1

First Known Use

1959, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

diglossia

noun

di·​glos·​sia dī-ˈgläs-ē-ə 

: the condition of having the tongue bifid