The spelling of the word "colloquialise" can be explained using IPA phonetic transcription. The word consists of four syllables: /kəˈləʊ.kwi.ə.laɪz/. The first syllable is pronounced with a schwa sound followed by a stressed "lo" sound. The second syllable contains "kw" sound followed by "ee" and "uh" sounds. The third syllable has a central "ə" sound and the fourth syllable is pronounced with a long "i" sound followed by a "z" sound. The word means to make something more colloquial or informal in tone or style.
The verb "colloquialise" refers to the act of making language more informal and conversational in style, tone, or vocabulary. It entails adapting or transforming formal or literary language into a more casual and accessible form used in everyday conversation or informal settings. This process often involves choosing more commonly used words and phrases, simplifying syntax, and incorporating idiomatic expressions, slang, or regional dialects.
"Colloquialise" is frequently employed by authors, translators, and communicators to bridge the gap between formal and informal speech, making content more relatable and engaging for a specific audience. It aims to establish a sense of familiarity and naturalness in written or spoken communications, granting readers or listeners a sense of comfort and connection.
The term also encompasses the concept of "colloquialism," which refers to the specific words, phrases, or mannerisms that are characteristic of informal or conversational language. By colloquialising, one takes these expressions or linguistic features and strategically incorporates them into a text, speech, or translation, thereby adapting it to a more casual register.
Overall, colloquialise is a verb used to describe the process of transforming language into a more informal and conversational style, enhancing its accessibility and relatability to specific audiences in everyday situations.
To render colloquial.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "colloquialise" is derived from the term "colloquial", which originated from the Latin word "colloqui", meaning "to talk together" or "to converse". The suffix "-ise" is added to "colloquial" to form a verb, "colloquialise", which means to make something colloquial or to adapt to colloquial language.