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What is the difference between colloquial an oral in the phrases, colloquial English and oral English?

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I like this question because the English language doesn't employ as strong a distinction between its oral and written forms as some other languages, like French (with written tenses and moods that simply don't exist orally, such as l'imparfait du subjonctif leconjugueur.com/frimparfaitsubjonctif.php). I believe (merely anecdotally) that this may have encouraged blurring the line somewhat between oral and colloquial/informal. – msanford Apr 15 '11 at 0:02
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Uh, colloquial sex is not nearly as much fun? – Malvolio Apr 15 '11 at 2:02

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up vote 12 down vote accepted

Alternatively, for the linguists out there: oral refers communication medium whereas colloquial refers to register.

Considered this way, the concepts are not mutually exclusive: would you consider a speech (i.e., oral communication) given by Queen Elizabeth II colloquial? Surely not! Given by President Barack Obama? Quite possibly…

For another example: colloquial is in opposition to formal (among others), whereas oral is in opposition to written, signed, etc.

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In other words, a speech by President Obama is more likely to include colloquial English than a speech by Queen Elizabeth II, but both are equally oral English. – Marthaª Apr 14 '11 at 23:49
+1 Exactly! Thanks for the example. – msanford Apr 14 '11 at 23:55
up vote 3 down vote

"oral English" is any spoken English. "colloquial English" is informal, and may include language that might be unacceptable for printing.

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+1 Furthermore, informal oral often employs colloquial language. – msanford Apr 14 '11 at 23:42
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Colloquial comes from the word conversation, specifically, according to the OED

 1. Of or pertaining to colloquy; conversational.

Perhaps a better way to phrase your question is - What is the difference between oral and conversational English.

Conversational English is typically oral, but oral English is not necessarily conversational.

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