Learn English – What’s the difference between colloquial and oral English

differencesterminology

What is the difference between colloquial an oral in the phrases, colloquial English and oral English?

Best Answer

Alternatively, for the linguists out there: oral refers communication medium whereas colloquial refers to register.

Considered this way, the concepts are not mutually exclusive: would you consider a speech (i.e., oral communication) given by Queen Elizabeth II colloquial? Surely not! Given by President Barack Obama? Quite possibly…

For another example: colloquial is in opposition to formal (among others), whereas oral is in opposition to written, signed, etc.