variació

Variació is a Catalan term that designates the presence of differences within a group or across contexts. It derives from Latin variatio and is used across disciplines to describe deviation from a reference pattern, standard, or ideal.

In linguistics, variació refers to linguistic variation: differences in pronunciation, vocabulary, morphology, or syntax across speakers, regions, and social groups. It is studied to understand language change, sociolinguistic meaning, and the dynamics of language contact and prestige.

In biology and genetics, genetic variation refers to differences in DNA sequences among individuals and populations. Sources include mutation, recombination, and gene flow, while processes such as natural selection and genetic drift shape how variation is distributed over time. Variation provides raw material for adaptation and evolution.

In statistics, variation describes how data points spread around a central tendency. It is quantified using measures such as variance, standard deviation, range, and interquartile range. Acknowledging sampling variation is essential for making inferences about populations.

In music, variació (variations) is a compositional technique where a theme is repeated with alterations in melody, harmony, rhythm, or timbre. Variation forms appear in many musical traditions, from classical to folk.

Culturally and socially, variació also captures regional, historical, and gender or class differences in practices, beliefs, and artifacts. Studying variació helps scholars understand diversity, change, and the factors that sustain or transform systems over time.