This document discusses the concept of diglossia, where two varieties or languages coexist within the same community. Diglossia refers to situations where two distinct varieties of the same language exist side by side, serving different functions. For example, in many Arab countries Standard Arabic is used for formal speeches, news, and literature, while local dialects serve for conversations and informal contexts. Diglossia was defined by linguist Charles Ferguson, who provided examples like Standard German and Swiss German, Standard French and Haitian Creole, and Attic and Demotik Greek varieties that coexist within populations but serve separate purposes.

1. LANGUAGES IN CONTACT
DIGLOSSIA
Dr. K. Lakehal-Ayat
Mentouri University Constantine
Dr. K. Lakehal-Ayat

2. Language Contact
• The existence of 2 varieties (or 2 languages)
Their functions Diglossia
side by side in the SAME community raises a
numberTheir relation to each other
of interesting issues concerning
Pidgins and
Why Creoles kept separate
they are Bilingualism
Where and how they mix
Code-
Switching
What results from their mixture
Dr. K. Lakehal-Ayat

3. Diglossia (Definition)
Variety 1 Functions 1
Diglossia
Variety 2 Functions 2
Dr. K. Lakehal-Ayat

4. These varieties
Not only in the
Coexist in one
whole
particular group
community
or class
Dr. K. Lakehal-Ayat

5. Charles Ferguson (1921-1998)
Dr. K. Lakehal-Ayat

6. Dr. K. Lakehal-Ayat

7. • Switzerland : Standard German and Swiss
German
• Haiti: Standard French and Haitian Creole
• Greece: Attic and Demotik
• Arab world : Algerian, Morrocan, Tunisian, etc.
Dr. K. Lakehal-Ayat

8. • Standard Arabic
• Formal speeches, religious
H (High) sermons, broadcasting
news, and literature.
• Spoken form
• Conversations, informal
L (Low) contexts (radio and TV
series, folk literature), informal
writing
Dr. K. Lakehal-Ayat

9. Perfect , more
Symbol of national Associated with Islam
logical, and more
unification and the Holy Koran
beautiful
H L
Not a
mother Deviation
tongue
Codified Without
variety (taught
at school)
structure
Prestigious
Dr. K. Lakehal-Ayat

10. Dr. K. Lakehal-Ayat

11. Dr. K. Lakehal-Ayat