The AI-powered English dictionary
plural basilects
(sociolinguistics) A variety of a language that has diverged greatly from the standard form, and is only considered suitable for very informal contexts by speakers. quotations examples
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
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
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