Colloquial speech uses informal words, phrases, or sayings specific to a geographic area and generally used only in informal contexts. It is not used in academic or professional writing. Colloquialisms are often accepted in creative writing. The lines between colloquialisms, slang, and dialect can be confusing.
As defined by the philosophy of language, colloquial speech is ordinary or natural language that uses colloquialisms. Colloquials are informal words, phrases, or sayings often specific to a geographic area and generally used only in informal contexts. Generally, linguists distinguish between colloquial language and slang, slang and dialect.
Examples of colloquialism include singular words, such as referring to a carbonated drink such as “pop,” as well as phrases used to describe a situation. For example, some people describe a romantic relationship that ends as one person being “dumped” by the other person. Other examples of colloquial sentences may include some inserts, like telling someone “up and down” instead of just “left.”
Often, certain colloquialisms are more common in a particular geographic area. For example, people in the southern part of the United States generally use “y’all,” a combination of “you” and “all,” more often than people in the northern part of the country. In the case of soda, some of the more common colloquialisms for carbonated drinks include “soda,” “pop,” and “soft drink,” but the exact terms vary depending on where the speaker is located.
Because colloquial language is considered informal, it is generally not used in academic or professional writing or conversation. However, people might use colloquialisms when writing or talking to their family members, friends or neighbors. Usually, these people are familiar with the language and the meaning. Additionally, colloquialisms are often accepted within certain types of creative writing, such as fiction novels and short stories, and other types of creative works. This is especially true if a story takes place in a geographical area well known for certain types of colloquialisms.
The lines between colloquialisms, slang, and slang can be confusing given that each type of language is considered informal and is typically specific to a certain area or group. Such lines become clearer when slang is defined as the language used by a specific social group and slang is defined as the language used by a specific professional or interest group. For example, each generation of teenagers might create their own kind of slang language. At the same time, professionals such as doctors and lawyers tend to use slang words and phrases specific to their work. Dialect, on the other hand, usually refers to the regional linguistic patterns or grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation of a region or social class.
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