Sociolect

In linguistics, a sociolect is the variety of language characteristic of a social background or status. It is a portmanteau term combining the morphemes “socio-,” meaning social and “-lect,” meaning a variety of language.

A dialect which evolves from regional speech may also have sociolectical implications. For example, standard Italian is a dialect in that it is particular to Tuscany; yet, being the national language of Italy, it is also a sociolect in that it carries a certain prestige from being the lingua franca throughout the country – both in broadcasting, in the press, and by people of high social status.

See also

• Argot
• Idiolect
• Jargon
• Joual
• Literary language
• Register (linguistics)
• Slang
• Sociolinguistics
• Valspeak
• Vernacular

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