Colloquialism

Etymology of Colloquialism

The term colloquialism originates from the Latin word colloquium. It means conversation or dialogue or chit-chat between two people or even one person. It refers to words, phrases, or expressions used in informal, everyday conversation or writing, often specific to a specific region, culture, or social group.

Meanings of Colloquialism

• Informal Expressions: Words or phrases used in casual communication, typically avoided in formal or academic writing.
• Spoken or Written Communication: Colloquialisms can be found in both conversations and informal writing.
• Inappropriateness for Formal Writing: Not suitable for official or academic contexts due to their informal nature.
• Familiarity, Humor, and Regional Identity: Colloquialisms often create a sense of closeness, amusement, or connection to a specific region.
• Conveyance of Tone: Colloquialisms contribute to a relaxed and easygoing tone in dialogue.
• Relaxed and Casual Tone: Their effectiveness lies in establishing an informal atmosphere during conversations.

Colloquialism in Grammar

• “Colloquialism” is a singular noun.
• Its plural is “colloquialisms.”
• “Colloquial” is its adjective. It describes something related to colloquialism.
• “Colloquially” is an adverb derived from “colloquial” and is used to modify verbs or other adjectives.

Definition of Colloquialism

As a literary device, colloquialism refers to the use of informal, everyday language in literature to create a sense of realism, authenticity, and immediacy in dialogue or narration. It includes regional dialects, slang, or idiomatic expressions. They are often used to convey the unique character and voice of a particular speaker or narrator.

Common Examples of Colloquialism

Here are some common examples of colloquialisms:

1. gonna – contraction of “going to”
2. wanna – contraction of “want to”
3. gonna be – “going to be”
4. gonna have – “going to have”
5. y’all – contraction of “you all”
6. kinda – contraction of “kind of”
7. gonna get – “going to get”
8. gonna do – “going to do”
9. gonna need – “going to need”
10. gonna make – “going to make”
11. gonna give – “going to give”
12. ain’t – contraction of “am not”, “is not”, “are not”, “has not”, or “have not”
13. gonna see – “going to see”
14. gotta – contraction of “got to”
15. gonna say – “going to say”

These colloquial expressions are commonly used in everyday speech, but they may not be considered appropriate for formal writing or academic settings. Additionally, colloquialisms may vary depending on the region, culture, or social group of the speaker or writer.

Literary Examples of Colloquialism

Here are some literary examples of colloquialism with quotations, their explanation, and the works/authors they come from:

1. “It ain’t no matter.”

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain

Explanation: This sentence uses the contraction “ain’t” and the double negative “no matter,” which is a common colloquialism in Southern American English. The use of informal language here serves to create a sense of realism and authenticity in the setting.

• “I reckon I got to light out for the Territory ahead of the rest, because Aunt Sally she’s going to adopt me and sivilize me and I can’t stand it.”

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain

Explanation: The use of the contraction “reckon” and the colloquialism “light out for the Territory” demonstrate the informal use of language, indicating background of Huck. This colloquialism is used to convey Huck’s resistance to being civilized and his desire for freedom.

• “I was sweating like a sinner in church.”

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

Explanation: This simile is a colloquialism used by one of the characters in the novel to describe her physical discomfort in a hot and humid environment. The use of colloquial language helps to create a sense of the character’s regional dialect and personality.

• ““Ah got money on me, Janie. Dey can’t bother me. Anyhow Ah wants tuh go see how things is sho nuff. Ah wants tuh see if Ah kin hear anything ‘bout de boys from de ‘Glades. Maybe dey all come through all right. Maybe not.”  

Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston

Explanation: The use of colloquialism is evident in several aspects of the quote. The contraction “Ah” instead of “I” or “I’ve” is used, which reflects the informal speech patterns of the characters. Additionally, words like “got,” “tuh” (to), “dey” (they), “kin” (can), and “‘bout” (about) are written phonetically, representing the way the characters would pronounce them in their dialect.

These literary examples of the literary device colloquialism demonstrate how the use of informal language can add authenticity, humor, and regional flavor to a work of literature.

Suggested Readings

1. Epoge, Napoleon Kang. “Slang and Colloquialism in Cameroon English Verbal Discourse.” International Journal of Linguistics 4.1 (2012): 130. Print.
2. King, Gareth. Colloquial English: The Complete Course for Beginners. Routledge, 2015. Print.
3. Lodge, Ken R. Studies in the Phonology of Colloquial English. Routledge, 2015. Print.
4. Radford, Andrew. Colloquial English: Structure and Variation. Vol. 158. Cambridge Studies in Linguistics, 2018. Print.
5. Tracy, Karen, and Jessica S. Robles. Everyday Talk: Building and Reflecting Identities. Guilford Press, 2013. Print.