Literary language

Literary language is a special way of using words when we write or speak in a formal, academic, or very polite tone. This kind of language can also be called formal language. Sometimes, it is the main or standardized version of a language that most people learn to read and write.

In some languages, literary language can look quite different from how people speak every day. For example, the way people talk with friends might be very different from how they write an essay for school. When there is a big difference between how we write formally and how we speak casually, this is called diglossia.

Different places and traditions might understand literary language in slightly different ways, depending on how they usually talk about language and writing. But overall, literary language helps us express ideas clearly and politely in important or serious situations.

Literary English

Main article: Literary device

Main article: Standard English

Main article: Standard Written English

For much of its history, English has had a difference between a more formal, fancy way of writing and a more casual, everyday way of speaking. After the Norman conquest of England, Latin and French were used instead of English for important writing. It wasn't until the end of the Middle Ages that a standard form of literary English appeared.

During the Renaissance, writers added words from classical languages to make English sound more important. Many of these words are still used today. Even now, English is used in a formal way in places like India, Malaysia, and Nigeria, where it is an official language.

Famous works like the King James Bible and plays by William Shakespeare, written in Early Modern English, are great examples of literary English. They are often studied in advanced English classes and have shaped the way we use English in literature today.

Other languages

Arabic

Modern Standard Arabic is the version of Classical Arabic used in writing across all Arabic-speaking countries and in any official settings. Many scholars see two types: the Classical Arabic of old writings and Modern Standard Arabic used today. Both are considered different forms of the same language. Literary Arabic is the official language of all Arab countries and is taught in schools.

Aramaic

Aramaic has had many different forms used for important writings, with everyday speech being quite different.

Armenian

The Armenian language used to have two forms: a formal literary style and everyday dialects. Over time, these dialects developed their own formal styles.

Bengali

Standard Bengali has two forms: one used in everyday speech, especially in Kolkata, and another used in literature that uses more words from old languages.

Chinese

Literary Chinese was the formal writing style used from ancient times until the early 1900s. It was based on old styles but changed over time. Today, a more everyday form of Chinese is used in writing.

Finnish

The Finnish language has a formal literary style and an everyday spoken style. The literary style is mostly used in writing and speeches.

Georgian

Georgian has a formal literary style and several everyday dialects.

German

German has a formal writing style and an everyday speaking style. The formal style uses older grammar patterns that are less common in everyday speech.

Greek

From the 1800s to the mid-1900s, a special form of Greek called Katharevousa was used for formal writing and speaking. Later, everyday Greek became the official language.

Coronation of Alexander III of Scotland at Scone in 1249. He is greeted by the ollamh rígh, the royal poet, who is addressing him with the proclamation Benach De Re Albanne ("God Bless the King of Scotland"); the poet goes on to recite Alexander's genealogy. Poets of this kind composed in Classical Gaelic, a literary form separate from the Scottish Gaelic or Irish vernaculars.

Hebrew

When the Hebrew language was revived, the formal and everyday forms developed separately but have become more similar over time.

Irish and Scottish Gaelic

Early Modern Irish, also called Classical Gaelic, was used in poetry in both Scotland and Ireland for many centuries.

Italian

Standard Italian developed based on the dialect of Tuscany, influenced by famous writers from that area. It is now the standard language of Italy.

Japanese

Until the late 1940s, a special form of Japanese called Classical Japanese was used in literature. Today, everyday Japanese is used for most writing.

Javanese

In the Javanese language, special characters from old writing systems are used to show respect in literature.

Kannada

Kannada, like some other languages, has formal styles used in writing and speaking and more casual everyday forms.

Latin

Classical Latin was the formal writing style used in ancient times, while everyday speech was different. Some early writings give us a look at how ordinary people spoke.

Malay

The Malay language has classical and modern forms, along with several everyday dialects.

Maltese

Maltese has several dialects and a standard form. Literary Maltese uses more words from old languages.

Manchu

Standard Manchu was based on the language of a specific group, with other dialects spoken alongside it.

Samuel Crowther's Yorùbá grammar led to Standard Yoruba becoming a literary language.

Mongolian

The Classical Mongolian language was used for important and religious writing, while everyday speech used different dialects.

N'Ko

N'Ko is a writing system created for languages in West Africa. It is used in many types of writings, including books and newspapers.

Persian

Persian has been the formal language of literature and culture in many areas for centuries.

Serbian

Slavonic-Serbian was the formal language used in parts of old Serbia. It has since been replaced by modern Serbian.

Tagalog

Tagalog is the basis of the Filipino language, the national language of the Philippines. Both share the same basic words and grammar.

Slavic languages

In some Slavic languages, the term "literary language" is used to mean the standard form of the language.

Tamil

Tamil, like some other languages, has formal styles used in writing and speaking and more casual everyday forms.

Tibetan

Classical Tibetan was used for important and religious writing, while everyday speech used different dialects.

Uzbek and Uyghur

The Chagatai language was once the formal literary language for many Turkic peoples. Today, new standard forms are used.

Welsh

Like other languages, Welsh tends to use simpler forms in everyday speech compared to older writing styles.

Yorùbá

Standard Yoruba is the formal version of the Yoruba language used in schools and news. It developed in the 1850s and includes influences from other dialects and languages.