Sociolinguists may also use the term diglossia to denote bilingualism, the speaking of two or more languages by the members of the same community, as, for example, in New York City, where many members of the Hispanic community speak both Spanish and English, switching from one to the other according to the social ...

Why is diglossia used?

Diglossia is more involved than just switching between levels of diction in the same language, such as going from slang or texting shortcuts to writing up a formal paper for a class or report for a business. It's more than being able to use a language's vernacular.

What is diglossia with example?

Diglossia refers to when a community speaks one language in two different ways and in different situations. For example, some communities of color in the United States use both "standard" American English and African American Vernacular English (AAVE), depending on the context and situation.