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How does diglossia differ from bilingualism in sociolinguistic research?

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Ferdinand de Saussure seated in a formal pose, wearing a dark suit with a vest and sporting a thick mustache, circa 1900. — Linguistics Much of the foundation of 20th-century sociolinguistics was created by the Swiss linguist Ferdinand de Saussure (1857–1913).

In sociolinguistic research, the distinction between diglossia and bilingualism centers on the relationship between the linguistic varieties being used.

Bilingualism refers to the ability of individuals or communities to speak two or more distinct languages. It involves the use of different linguistic systems, often characterized by code-switching, where speakers alternate between languages based on social context or immediate needs.123

Diglossia, by contrast, describes the coexistence of two varieties of the same language within a single speech community. These varieties are typically kept functionally separate:3
* High/Prestige Variety: Often used in formal settings such as education, government, literature, or religious texts.3
* Low/Common Variety: The vernacular or colloquial form used in informal, everyday interactions within families and local communities.3

While some sociolinguists may broadly use the term diglossia to describe bilingual situations, the classic definition emphasizes this functional stratification of a single language rather than the presence of two separate languages.43