Lestàndard

Lestàndard is the standard or prestige variety of a language that is used in formal domains and commonly taught in schools. It is the codified form that serves as the normative reference for grammar, spelling, and vocabulary, and it often underpins public administration, education, and media. The concept corresponds to what is commonly called the standard language in many linguistic traditions, though its exact features can vary across communities.

Standardization typically arises through deliberate codification: grammars, dictionaries, and style guides establish prescribed forms; education systems disseminate these norms; and media and publishing reinforce them. The lestàndard may reflect historical prestige, national identity, or institutional power, and it often coexists with regional, social, or minority varieties. Debates about its scope and inclusivity are common, with critics warning against prescriptivism or the marginalization of dialects.

In practice, the lestàndard functions as the reference for formal communication—from official documents to literature and broadcasts—while everyday speech may draw on diverse vernaculars. Language policy and sociolinguistic research frequently examine how the lestàndard evolves, how it interacts with dialectal variation, and how new terms and pronunciations become integrated.

See also: standard language, language policy, dialect, codification.