A colloquial conversation is developed with informal language.
In order to know the meaning of the colloquial term, it is necessary to discover, first of all, its etymological origin. In this case, we can state that it is a word that derives from Latin, since it is the result of the sum of the following parts:
-The prefix “con-”, which means “together”.
-The verb “loqui”, which is synonymous with “speak”.
-The suffix “-al”, which is used to indicate “relative to”.
Concept of colloquial
The first meaning of the colloquial adjective mentioned in the dictionary of the Royal Spanish Academy ( RAE ) refers to that related to a colloquium : a talk; a meeting to discuss a certain issue; or a literary genre based on dialogues.
The most common use of the term, however, is linked to what is typical of informal communication . A conversation, a text or a dissertation can be colloquial when it appeals to relaxed , everyday language .
For example: “Excuse me, doctor, I don't understand what you mean: could you explain it to me in a colloquial way?” , “I always enjoy this professor's classes because he uses colloquial language” , “If you want to present a note to the board of directors, you cannot use a colloquial tone” .
Communication through social networks is usually colloquial.
Differences with the formal or technical
It can be said that the words , expressions and idioms used every day are colloquial. On the other hand, technicalities and formal constructions that are only used on special occasions are not colloquial.
If a person looks out the window and notices that the sky has cleared, they may comment: “The sun came out.” That way you can colloquially refer to what you saw. On the contrary, it is unlikely that he will say: “The Phoebus has appeared.” While “sun” is a colloquial term, the word “Phoebus” is not frequently used today.
In a similar sense, while a forensic doctor may comment that “The deceased had two holes in the skull that were produced by the entry of projectiles,” a journalist may refer to the same situation but colloquially: “The deceased had two holes.” “shots in the head.”
Colloquial Spanish
Starting from all the above, we find the fact that the nation of colloquial Spanish exists. This is used to refer to the informal registration that is carried out in Spanish in daily and everyday life.
It can also be highlighted that it is considered to be expressive, effective, useful and relaxed, as well as spontaneous. No less relevant is that it is determined that the syntax of colloquial Spanish is characterized by being full of pauses, by having repetitions and that it is fast.
In the same way, it is indicated that it is very common for colloquial speech to resort to the use of vulgarisms on many occasions.
In addition to everything we have made known, we cannot ignore the fact that within the field of literature the term in question has been used on more than one occasion. A good example of this is, for example, the novel “The Colloquium of the Dogs”, written and published in 1613 by Cervantes.