Colloquial – adjective
- Characteristic of or appropriate to ordinary or familiar conversation rather than formal speech or writing; informal (Dictionary.com)
- Using conversational style (Merriam-Webster)
- (Of words and expressions) Informal and more suitable for use in speech than in writing (Cambridge)
“The noun colloquy was first used in English to refer to a conversation or dialogue, and when the adjective colloquial was formed from colloquy it had a similar focus. Over time, however, colloquial developed a more specific meaning related to language that is most suited to informal conversation – and it ultimately garnered an additional, disparaging implication of a style that seems too informal for a situation. Colloquy and colloquial trace back to the Latin verb colloqui, meaning ‘to converse.’ Colloqui in turn was formed by combining the prefix com- and loqui, ‘to speak.’” – Merriam-Webster
What Is the Purpose of Colloquialism in Literature? (MasterClass)
“Writers use colloquial expressions to add authenticity to their work. Colloquialisms can also help with:
- Dialogue. Recreating casual communication through colloquial dialogue can add realism to a story and its environment. In Irvine Welsh’s Trainspotting, for example, the colloquial street language of the characters reflect their lives on the fringe of Scottish society; an example is the phrase ‘git aulder,’ meaning ‘get older.’
- Setting. Colloquialisms can also help establish and support the time and place of a story. In Fannie Flagg’s Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe, the characters speak in a folksy, colloquial tone that represents rural Alabama during the first half of the twentieth century.
- Characters. Colloquialisms can also help establish a character’s backstory, including age and socioeconomic background. The narrator of J.D. Salinger’s classic The Catcher in the Rye, 16-year-old Holden Caulfield, is educated but uses expressions like ‘can’tcha,’ ‘helluva time,’ and ‘dough.’ Salinger’s use of these rougher colloquialisms highlights Holden’s rebellious streak.”
Writing and Listening — an Interview with Brooke Randel
As a young girl Brooke Randel knew little about the Holocaust—just that it was a catastrophe in which millions were murdered, and that her grandma Golda Indig barely escaped that fate. But her Bubbie never spoke about what happened, and the two spent most of their time together making pleasant memories: baking crescent roll cookies, playing gin rummy, and watching Baywatch. Until an unexpected phone call when Golda said, out of the blue: “You should write about my life. What happened in the war.” What results is a fascinating memoir—about one woman’s harrowing survival, and another’s struggle to excavate theRead more…