Colloquialism
Colloquialism
Colloquialism (pronunciation: /kəˈloʊ.kwi.əˌlɪ.zəm/) is a term in linguistics that refers to the usage of informal or everyday language. It originates from the Latin word "colloquium", which means "conversation".
Etymology
The term "colloquialism" is derived from the Latin word "colloquium", which means a conversation or dialogue. The suffix "-ism" is added to denote a practice or system. Thus, colloquialism refers to the practice of using language as it is used in ordinary conversation.
Definition
A colloquialism is a word, phrase, or other form used in informal language. These expressions are often specific to a particular region or group and may be used in everyday conversation but not in formal speech or writing.
Examples
Some examples of colloquialisms include "gonna" as a short form of "going to", "y'all" in Southern American English, and "mate" as a term of address in Australian English.
Related Terms
- Slang: A type of language consisting of words and phrases that are regarded as very informal, are more common in speech than writing, and are typically restricted to a particular context or group of people.
- Idiom: A group of words established by usage as having a meaning not deducible from those of the individual words.
- Dialect: A particular form of a language that is peculiar to a specific region or social group.
- Jargon: Special words or expressions that are used by a particular profession or group and are difficult for others to understand.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Colloquialism
- Wikipedia's article - Colloquialism
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