According to Fishman's definition, diglossia refers to a situation where two languages or dialects coexist in a society, with one being more prestigious (High variety) and the other more informal (Low variety).
In Algeria, the situation can be described as diglossic, with:
- *High variety*: Modern Standard Arabic (used in formal contexts like education, media, and government)
- *Low variety*: Algerian Arabic/Daraja (used in informal contexts like daily conversations, home, and street interactions)
There's also the presence of French (a colonial legacy) and Berber languages, adding complexity to the linguistic landscape.