Prestige varieties are those that are regarded mostly highly within a society. As such, the standard language, the form promoted by authorities—usually governmental or from those in power—and considered "correct" or

Prestige influences whether a language variety is considered a language or a dialect. In discussing definitions of language, Dell Hymes wrote that "sometimes two communities are said to have the same, or different, languages on the grounds of

• Conservative (language)
• Decreolization
• Language planning and policy in Singapore

1. ^ Kroch 1978
2. ^ Eckert & Rickford 2002, pp. 2–4, 24, 260–263
3. ^ Fox 1999
4. ^ O'Grady et al. 2001, p. 7.
5. ^ Fasold & Connor-Linton 2006, p. 387

Different languages and dialects are accorded prestige based upon factors, including "rich literary heritage, high degree of language modernization, considerable international standing, or the prestige of its speakers". These, and other attributes and factors

When different language varieties come into contact, a variety of relationships can form between the two, all typically influenced by prestige.

When two languages with an asymmetrical power relationship come into contact, such as through colonization or in a refugee situation, the creole that results is typically largely based on the prestige language; as noted above, linguists have observed