Voice

__Colloquialism__
A colloquialism is a term, expression, or phrase that is not used in formal speech. Generally, colloquial language is considered only appropriate in casual, familiar, or informal conversation. Sometimes, the term is also used to describe a local or regional dialect expression.

"Exactly, Doctor. You have hit the - what is it, Harry?" "Nail on the head." "Quite right. The nail on the head." The Nawab nodded gravely. --p.121

The phrase "hit the nail on the head" is a colloquialism meaning to have done something exactly the right way, or to do something in the most effective and efficient manner. Since the Nawab's first language is not English, he is not entirely familiar with the use of idioms, as demonstrated by his inability to remember the proper phrasing.

__Dialect__
A dialect is: 1. a regional variety of language distinguished by features of vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation from other regional varieties and constituting together with them a single language 4. a manner or means of expressing oneself
 * 2.** a variety of a language used by the members of a group
 * 3.** a variety of language whose identity is fixed by a factor other than geography (as social class)

"After a moment he began to recite in mellifluous Urdu: it sounded very beautiful." --p.150 In Heat and Dust, the primary Indian language spoken in Satipur and Khatm is Urdu, which is a standardized dialect of Hindustani.

__Vernacular__
A language or dialect native to a region or country rather than a literary, cultured, or foreign language.

"I work hard at my Hindi and am beginning to have conversations with people which is a great advantage." --p. 51 In India, the vernacular is Hindi (or, to be more specific, Urdu), as opposed to the English that Olivia, Douglas, and the other British expatriates speak.

__Regional Color__
The use of regional detail in a literary or artistic work.

In Heat and Dust, the use of Hindustani words and names like "hijra", "suttee", "dhobi", or Nawab Sahib all add regional color to the text because they are written in the language of the land.