intervariety

Intervariety is a term used in linguistics to describe communication or interaction between speakers of different varieties of the same language. A language variety, or simply a variety, refers to a distinct form of a language that is characteristic of a particular group of speakers. These varieties can differ in pronunciation (accent), vocabulary, grammar, and even subtle nuances of meaning.

The concept of intervariety communication is crucial for understanding language variation and change. It highlights how speakers adapt their language when interacting with others who use a different variety. This adaptation can involve conscious efforts to simplify or clarify their speech, or more unconscious processes of convergence towards the other speaker's variety. The ease and success of intervariety communication depend on several factors, including the degree of difference between the varieties, the speakers' attitudes towards each other's varieties, and their exposure to other varieties.

In many cases, varieties of a single language are mutually intelligible, meaning speakers can understand each other without formal instruction. However, extreme differences between varieties can lead to a breakdown in communication, creating a dialect continuum where adjacent varieties are intelligible but distant varieties are not. Sociolinguistic research often examines intervariety communication to study phenomena such as language attitudes, code-switching, and the development of standardized forms of a language. It underscores the dynamic and multifaceted nature of language use in diverse communities.