Which word means dialect or vernacular; informal speech used by a social group?

Which word means dialect or vernacular; informal speech used by a social group?

• A. Jargon
• B. Slang
• C. Patois
• D. Vernacular

Answer: (C)

The idea here is a term for the informal speech variety that a specific social group uses—the everyday way a group talks, including its distinct sounds, grammar, and vocabulary. Patois fits this best because it refers to a nonstandard dialect tied to a particular community, often informal and localized, with its own characteristic speech patterns. That focus on a social group's everyday talk makes it the right match for dialect or vernacular used by a group. Jargon is about specialized vocabulary for a field, so it’s too narrow. Slang points to casual words or phrases, not the full speech system. Vernacular is close in meaning, but patois emphasizes the nonstandard, group-specific nature of the speech variety, which aligns with the prompt.

The idea here is a term for the informal speech variety that a specific social group uses—the everyday way a group talks, including its distinct sounds, grammar, and vocabulary. Patois fits this best because it refers to a nonstandard dialect tied to a particular community, often informal and localized, with its own characteristic speech patterns. That focus on a social group's everyday talk makes it the right match for dialect or vernacular used by a group. Jargon is about specialized vocabulary for a field, so it’s too narrow. Slang points to casual words or phrases, not the full speech system. Vernacular is close in meaning, but patois emphasizes the nonstandard, group-specific nature of the speech variety, which aligns with the prompt.