The understanding of Language Varieties Variety is a generic term for aparticular coherent form of language in which specific extralinguistic criteria can be used to define it as a variety. Language showing variation in space, time and social distance.The understanding of Language Varieties • Variety is a generic term for aparticular coherent form of language in which specific extralinguistic criteria can be used to define it as a variety. • Language showing variation in space, time and social distance