Language is one of the most important capabilities of human beings, since we are social animals who need to be able to communicate with each other in order to coordinate and survive.

Language implies the creation of a series of symbols shared among the members of a group that allows the transmission of ideas, intentions, emotions and needs among the different individuals. And one of the most relevant types of language is oral language.

But there is a great variety of languages and languages with great differences between them, and even within the same language we will find different variants and ways of expressing ourselves. In this last sense it is worth noting that we can find different levels of the language , of which we are going to talk about throughout this article.

What are the Language levels?

The set of styles or ways of communicating through language are called the Language (or language) levels. This name may refer to different ways of classifying linguistic ability or its use, such as the level of learning and knowledge of a language (B1, B2, C1, C2…) or, in this case, the different registers used by users of the same language in relation to their contextual and cultural situation.

In this regard, it should be borne in mind that many factors determine the type of record used. The socio-educational level is a very relevant one, given that, for example, people who are illiterate or have little education will find it much more difficult to use more sophisticated registers.

However, it is not the only one: the historical moment, the adaptation to specific contexts and situations or even the speaker’s personality can influence the type of register used.

The three big levels

Although, as we have said, we could classify language use at different levels according to a great diversity of criteria, if we take into account the level of correction and the cultural background of the speakers and the type of language we use in different contexts, we can consider a total of three major levels of language. Specifically, the following.

1. Substandard level

The substandard level is considered to be the least sophisticated language level and the one that requires the least formal knowledge to be used. The use of this level incurs multiple incorrectnesses and idioms, often using abbreviated forms of words and idioms.

They usually include the use of slang and regional variations (not dialects), as well as lexical and syntactical errors. It is usually used among people from close circles or with low educational levels. Within this level we can find two large sub-levels

1.1. Vulgar language

This type of language is characterized by its great simplicity and little by a great lack of ornamentation . Many of its terms are not part of the dictionary, and often include limited lexicons, short and partial phrases and a great deal of vulgarism and errors that do not seek to be corrected.

Although understandable, a speaker from another region may have difficulty understanding the full range of messages. It is also common to use crutches and to have serious word order problems, as well as accent or syllable shifts or use of wrong graphemes and phonemes (vowels and consonants are used that are not part of the word itself).

It is often speech with little adaptation to the environment and context: the way of speaking is almost always the same and does not adjust depending on the situation.

1.2. Popular language

The also called language of the people is part of the substandard level (although it integrates several elements of the standard language), and in this case we observe a much more correct and accepted use by most speakers, although informal and not very elaborated. Although limited in lexicon, it also presents great generativity when talking about the different constructs.

He often uses many adjectives and proverbs, economizes on constructions and sentences (reducing sentences as much as possible) and abuses appeals to the listener.

It is often a type of language used by people with a slight level of education, in the elderly or young people, having a fairly widespread informal use.

2. Standard level

We understand the standard level as the one that most of the population recognizes as correct , that follows the lexical, syntactic and morphological rules of the language in question and that serves as a basis and example of how a concrete language is. It requires a certain level of training in order to learn the use of language and its rules.

Within the standard level we can find two sublevels or subtypes of language.

2.1. Colloquial language

It is the type of record that is usually used by most of the population in their daily life and spontaneously . It is a correct language that follows the main rules of spelling, syntax and grammar, although there may be small errors.

It employs interjections and is quite rich on a lexical level, although it has to be used informally and tends not to be flowery or ornate. Highly practical and expressive, it often has elements of subjectivity and emotionality.

2.2. Cultured language

The cultured language is a sublevel of the standard level that implies a high level of correction in all its aspects . It usually implies a relatively high level of knowledge and mastery of the rules of the language. It has a fairly rich lexicon and elements of abstraction and ornamentation can be observed, and it is a type of formal communication.

Cultured language, although generally considered standard, has characteristics that bring it closer to the super-standard level and sometimes place it in such levels of language.

3. Super-standard level

The most advanced and sophisticated language level is the super standard level . This level is characterised by the use of a very correct and ornate language, as well as by its restricted use in certain areas or contexts. Its use is not common in everyday life and is restricted to certain situations, in addition to which it requires a high level of education in order to be understood.

The vocabulary is broad and cultists are often used. It often seeks the expression of beauty through words. Among the different sub-levels that we can find, the following can be highlighted.

3.1. Poetic language

Poetic language is that whose main function is the expression of emotions and feelings through not so much the content of the word but its form . Although what is said may have relevance, it is much more relevant the way in which it is expressed, seeking to generate beauty with the use of language.

  • You may be interested in: “The 23 best short poems (by famous and anonymous authors)”

3.2. Scientific and technical language

A subtype of super-standard language in which the transmission of objective information prevails , with a clear and orderly presentation of the information and by the use of terminology specific to a field of knowledge. Understanding the messages conveyed at this level of language implies having very specialised knowledge in a particular field, or at least notions of very specific fields.

Bibliographic references:

  • Areiza Londoño, R and Tabares Idárraga, L.E. (2003). Social variables and their relationship with language use. Journal of Human Sciences, 9 (32).

  • Caballero Muñoz, D. (1993). Some psychosocial considerations on correct and vulgar language. Aula Abierta, 62: 157-168. University of Oviedo.