Dictionary

basilect en · NOUN

Pronunciation

• /ˈbeɪsɪlɛkt/
• /ˈbæsɪlɛkt/

Etymology

From basi- (“base, bottom”) + -lect (“speech”).

Meanings

1. A variety of a language that differs substantially from the standard form, and is only considered suitable for very informal contexts by speakers.
   • If only the basilect is a true creole, then the mesolect is relegated to limbo -- not a creole, certainly not a standard. 1996, James E. Alatis, Georgetown University Round Table on Languages and Linguistics, →ISBN:
   • In both regions English is used extensively, the spoken form ranging from, in the language of linguisticians, the basilect to the mesolect and the matrilect or acrolect (prestige English) . 1987, Douglas N. Young, Language--planning and medium in education:
   • The highest level of good English has been called the acrolect; the lowest level of poor speech, the basilect; both are contrasted with the matrilect, the general native language. 1977, Joseph Twadell Shipley, In praise of English: the growth & use of language, page 78:

Forms

Coordinates

acrolect · hyperlect · vulgate · vernacular · mesolect

Deriveds

basilectal

Relateds

code-switching · register · post-creole continuum · matrilect

Translations (7)

nl basilect (variety of a language that has diverged greatly from the standard form) · jam bazilek (variety of a language that has diverged greatly from the standard form) · fr basilecte (variety of a language that has diverged greatly from the standard form) · fi basilekti (variety of a language that has diverged greatly from the standard form) · de Basilekt (variety of a language that has diverged greatly from the standard form) · es basilecto (variety of a language that has diverged greatly from the standard form) · pt basileto (variety of a language that has diverged greatly from the standard form)