Which term describes a language variety unique to an individual, manifested by patterns of vocabulary or idiom selection, grammar, or pronunciation?

Which term describes a language variety unique to an individual, manifested by patterns of vocabulary or idiom selection, grammar, or pronunciation?

• A. Idiolect
• B. Dialect
• C. Sociolect
• D. Register

Answer: (A)

The concept here is an individual’s unique language pattern, which is called an idiolect. An idiolect encompasses the specific vocabulary choices, preferred idioms, grammar tendencies, and even pronunciation quirks that a single person uses. These elements are shaped by a person’s experiences, education, and personal environment, making them distinctive to that individual.

A dialect, by contrast, is the shared speech pattern of a group tied to a region or community; a sociolect reflects differences associated with social factors like class or occupation; register refers to language style chosen for a specific situation or audience. The description in the question points to what makes one person’s speech distinct, not to a broader group or situational style, so idiolect is the best fit.